Zero-Emission Vehicles Sonification Strategy Based on Shepard-Risset Glissando

Sebastien Denjean (1) , Richard Kronland-Martinet (2) , Vincent Roussarie (1) , Sølvi Ystad (2)

1 PSA Peugeot Citroën
2 PRISM - Perception, Représentations, Image, Son, Musique

In this paper we present a sonification strategy developed for electric vehicles aiming to synthetize a new engine sound to enhance the driver's dynamic perception of his vehicle. We chose to mimic the internal combustion engine (ICE) noise by informing the driver through pitch variations. However, ICE noise pitch variations are correlated to the engine's rotations per minute (RPM) and its dynamics is covered within a limited vehicle speed range. In order to inform the driver with a significant pitch variation throughout the full vehicle speed range, we based our sonification strategy on the Shepard-Risset glissando. These illusory infinite ascending/descending sounds enable to represent accelerations with significant pitch variations for an unlimited range of speeds. In a way, we stay within the metaphor of ICE noise with unheard gearshifts. We tested this sonification strategy in a perceptual test in a driving simulator and showed that the mapping of this acoustical feedback affects the drivers' perception of vehicle dynamics.

Mots clés: Sonification; automotive acoustics; multisensory perception

Domaines: Acoustique [physics.class-ph]; Modélisation et simulation; Interface homme-machine [cs.HC]; Son [cs.SD]

Sebastien Denjean, Richard Kronland-Martinet, Vincent Roussarie, Sølvi Ystad. Zero-Emission Vehicles Sonification Strategy Based on Shepard-Risset Glissando. 14th International Symposium on Computer Music Multidisciplinary Research, Oct 2019, Marseille, France. ⟨hal-02429934⟩