Humans have an intuitive ability to precisely identify the origin of a detected sound in three-dimensional space – known as “sound localization.”
This offers a decisive advantage in automotive applications: when audible feedback, speech or other audio content is emitted, your gaze is intuitively drawn to the relevant display instrument, directing attention to where it is needed. By outputting sound though the imaging surface itself, the Ac2ated Sound display creates a lifelike immersive user experience.
The display surface is particularly well suited for use as a sound box: thanks to its unique structure and composition, it offers optimal acoustic properties measured in terms of factors such as internal damping, stiffness of the material and the induced vibrating surface weight.
The Ac2ated Sound system from Continental uses actuators that are installed invisibly behind the display surface and induce audible vibrations in the glass. The actuators, measuring just a few centimeters in size, take up very little space when integrated into the display unit. This saves time and money in assembly compared with a conventional speaker, since no separate components are required.
In addition to its use in displays, the technology can be integrated into almost any existing flat component of the vehicle interior. By installing additional actuators in door trims, headrests, A-pillars or the roof lining. The visual benefits are compounded by advantages in terms of space and weight, with the audio system requiring up to 90 percent less space and being up to 40 kilograms lighter than conventional speaker systems.
