STAMFORD, Conn. — Harman International, part of Samsung Electronics, has launched what it claims is the world's first active road-noise cancellation system for a production vehicle in partnership with Hyundai Motor Co.
The road noise active noise control (RANC) system reduces in-cabin noise by canceling out unwanted sound originating from the tires and road surfaces while driving, Harman International said.
Hyundai's Genesis GV80 SUV is the first production car to feature the technology, which is based on Harman's HALOsonic suite of noise management technologies, the automotive audio specialist said.
Applying conventional NVH methods to reduce road noise significantly adds to the vehicle weight, thereby impacting fuel economy and emissions ratings, the company noted. On the Genesis SUV, the RANC control processor "uses reference signals received from acceleration sensors placed strategically along the suspension and chassis to predict noise transferred into the cabin and to generate an anti-noise wave in real-time.
"Compute time and signal transfer speed are optimized to allow for an analysis of the intruding noise and the generation of the anti-noise within milliseconds, thereby preventing the noise from reaching the occupants' ears."
Error microphones constantly monitor the system performance in each seat location to ensure a more pleasant ride for all vehicle occupants, Harman said. The Genesis GV80 SUV was launched in Korea on Jan. 15, with further roll-outs, including in the U.S. expected by early summer.