World’s First Separate Sound Zone System
Hyundai-Kia Motors has developed the next generation sound system called “separate sound zone (SSZ) for the first time in the world,” which enables occupants in each seat to listen to different music or sound. Using this technology, occupants can have private conversations without an invasion of privacy and block unnecessary sounds for them.
Hyundai-Kia Motors unveiled the explanatory contents about the technology of its separate sound zone control system on August 12 via its media channel, HMG Journal, and on YouTube. It is the first carmaker in the global OEM vehicle industry to develop this technology. SSZ is a technology that establishes and controls sound fields so that the occupants in the driver’s seat, the seat next to the driver’s and the back seats can listen to different sounds as if they are in separate zones. By decreasing or augmenting the sound frequency created when a number of built-in vehicle speakers produce different sounds at the same time, the system allows different sounds to be played in each seat. When different music is played in each seat, no interference occurs through a superposition of different sounds as if each seat is built with soundproof facilities. In other words, a driver can listen to radio, while the passenger next to the driver listens to a song.
As the system allows passengers to listen to individual choices of music without using a headphone or an earphone, passengers retain the ability to have a conversation with each other while listening to the music and there is no need to stop conversation. Moreover, each passenger can have a high-security private conversation in his or her seat because other passengers cannot hear the conversation.
It can be set-up so that certain sounds, such as audible directions from the navigation system, can only be heard by the driver. For example, even with a sleeping baby in the car, the driver can listen to audible directions from the navigation or music of his choice because the sound does not spread out to the baby’s seat.
HyundaiKida Motors said it started developing the system in 2014 and has finished testing in actual vehicles. The system is expected to be installed in mass-produced cars within 1-2 years.