I can understand wanting to cut down on traffic noise, but it should have seemed obvious; just give it a car sound and be done with it.
On Sat, 28 Aug 2010, Ray Boyce wrote: > ONE of the world's quietest cars will use a fake engine noise to help save > lives. > > Toyota has fitted its petrol-electric Prius, the world's best-selling > hybrid, with a speaker that emits an artificial sound to help warn > pedestrians of its approach. > > General Motors, Nissan and Lotus are among other car makers set to follow > with similar pedestrian-alert systems as the motor industry responds to > criticism that hybrids such as the Prius endanger lives, particularly those > of the blind. > > Some safety groups have called hybrids silent killers, and research has > shown hybrids are more likely to be involved in low-speed accidents with > pedestrians because of their ability to run in virtual silence on battery > power alone with the petrol engine switched off. > > Toyota's Approaching Vehicle Audible System device is mounted inside the > Prius's front bumper and makes an exaggerated, synthesised sound of an > electric motor up to speeds of about 25 km/h. The company says the system, > which costs about $170 in Japan, is under consideration for Australia. > > Such warning tones are expected to become mandatory for hybrids and electric > vehicles in the United States. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >
