HARMAN introduces the HALOsonic suite of technologies, including Electronic Sound Synthesis… sound where you need it. Learn more at harmaninnovation.com

1. innovation paper
HarmanInnovation.com
© 2015 Harman International, Inc.
HALOsonic Electronic Sound Synthesis:
Sound where you need it

2. HALOsonic technology encompasses
not only the cancellation of sounds,
but also the creation of sounds
through Electronic Sound Synthesis
(ESS). Sounds may be produced
on the outside of a car for hybrid
and electric vehicles in order to
enhance pedestrian safety. Sounds
may also be produced inside the car
for improved driver feedback and
enhanced driving experience.
Enhancing safety, branding and customer satisfaction
through Electronic Sound Synthesis.
Overview of ESS:
innovation paper
Together, HARMAN and Lotus
Engineering have created
HALOsonic, a tailor made suite
of sound solutions, including
Electronic Sound Synthesis.

3. When it comes to cars, sound plays a
huge part in the choices people make.
The way a car door sounds when it is
closed and the way the engine roars
when you are hitting the accelerator
can make or break a sale. In striving
to reduce the environmental impact
of cars with combustion engines,
engineers are developing “downsized”
engines with smaller displacements,
fewer cylinders and the addition of
turbo- and superchargers. Moreover,
OEMs actively pursue fuel saving,
emission-reducing measures such
as cylinder shutdowns that attenuate
original engine noise.
HARMAN engineers have set out to
improve the sound of the various pro-
pulsion concepts, making the engine
sound mightier than it actually is. To
improve the driving experience, this
technology enables sound contouring
inside the car by creating speed- and
throttle-dependent sounds through
the standard speaker system. The
system delivers improved engine
feedback and makes drivers feel
connected to the car they drive.
Internal Electronic Sound Synthesis (iESS)
The Problem: The Solution:
innovation paper
iESS improves the sound of the various propulsion
concepts, making the engine sound mightier
than it actually is.

4. innovation paper
How It Works:
The Benefits
ROAD NOISE RNC SIGNAL NOISE REDUCTIONESS SIGNALVEHICLE INTERNAL SOUND
INTERNAL
LOUDSPEAKERS
iESS CONTROLLER
• iESS helps synthesize an
exhilarating engine sound that adds
a very emotional element to the
overall driving experience
• iESS helps reinstate original engine
sound in case of sound loss due
to OEM features such as cylinder
shutdown and use of
downsized engines
• iESS can offer multiple engine
sound modes (for example: normal,
moderate and sporty engine sound)
for the same car, thereby
enhancing car occupants’
emotional experience
Guiding signals from the electric motor
such as pedal position, RPM, and speed
indicate the engine status.
The speakers play the anti-noise
sound wave to help reduce the
unwanted noise in the cabin.Engine Sound Audio System
Legend

5. For decades, vehicles have been
a part of our daily lives. We know
what they are supposed to drive
like, how they react, and what they
should sound like. With the significant
increase in sales of fully electric and
hybrid vehicles, we are witnessing a
change in the acoustic experience in
and around a car. The silence of the
electric drivetrain means that
pedestrians miss familiar acoustic
clues warning them about an
approaching vehicle. With an electric
vehicle, they can no longer rely on
sound to determine how fast a vehicle
is approaching and how close it is.
In order to improve pedestrian safety
around electric and hybrid vehicles,
HARMAN’s External Electronic
Sound Synthesis (eESS) technology
creates a specific electronic sound,
projected from speakers at the
front and rear of the vehicles, giving
an early warning to pedestrians
that the car is approaching. The
volume and characteristics of the
External Electronic Sound Synthesis
are actively controlled to inform
pedestrians of the vehicle’s speed
and location, enhancing safety.
The Problem: The Solution:
innovation paper
External Electronic Sound Synthesis (eESS)
A specified electronic sound is
created and projected from speakers
at the front and rear of the vehicle,
giving an early warning to pedestrians
that the car is approaching.

6. innovation paper
How It Works:
• eESS is optimized to operate
in urban environments with the
greatest risk of a collision with
pedestrians, especially high-risk
groups such as the elderly, children,
cyclists and particularly the blind
and their guide dogs
• eESS helps automakers comply
with governmental safety
regulations
• eESS is capable of creating
custom-designed engine sounds,
thereby helping to retain OEM-
specific car DNA
The Benefits
ROAD NOISE RNC SIGNAL NOISE REDUCTIONESS SIGNALVEHICLE EXTERNAL SOUND
Guiding signals from the electric motor
such as pedal position, RPM, and speed
indicate the engine status.
The speakers play the anti-noise
sound wave to help reduce the
unwanted noise in the cabin.Engine Sound Audio System
Legend

7. Keywords: ESS, eESS, iESS, sound synthesis,
audio, automotive, Harman Innovation, HALOsonic,
audio quality, sustainability, safety, technolohy,
connected car, electronic sound synthesis, car
safety, EV, electric cars, hybrid vehicles
Get more automotive Audio insights
at Harman Innovation Hub.
© 2015 HARMAN International Industries Incorporated. All rights reserved.
HARMAN (NYSE:HAR) (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual,
infotainment and integrated control solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets.
With 15 leading brands, including AKG®
, Harman Kardon®
, Infinity®
, JBL®
, Lexicon®
, Mark Levinson®
and Revel®
, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where
they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio
and infotainment systems.
For more information on HALOsonic
and other leading audio technologies,
visit harmaninnovation.com
innovation paper