BMW has developed a soundscape, named HypersonX, for its all-electric Neue Klasse models which are scheduled for launch this year.
Developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, the HypersonX soundscape forms part of the wider BMW Panoramic iDrive concept aimed at delivering a redefined in-car experience.
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The HypersonX system includes 43 sound signals, with specially tailored drive sounds for both Personal Mode and Sport Mode.
In a press statement, BMW said: “The multi-dimensional spectrum adapts the sounds precisely to the driving situation at hand and, in so doing, creates an emotional interaction between the driver and their vehicle.”
A newly developed control unit and the integration of BMW Operating System X support an innovative audio architecture, allowing the soundscape to adapt in real time to various driving scenarios, the company said.
BMW Group Sound Design Creative Director Renzo Vitale said: “The unique sound spectrum of HypersonX plays a major role in giving a Neue Klasse model its own, highly distinctive character acoustically.
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By GlobalData“Through our focus on precision, warmth and lightness, we can create a direct emotional connection between the driver and their vehicle.”
In designing the soundscape, BMW focused on essential sound elements inspired by natural tones and artistic structures.
The audio control unit, specifically developed for the Neue Klasse, allows for an expanded dynamic range and spatial modulation of the drive sound.
The BMW HypersonX sound spectrum emphasises the middle and lower frequency ranges, creating a “well-balanced” acoustic environment that, combined with intuitive operation, precise lighting effects, and “homely” interior design.
More than nine million individual sound instances were generated using a bespoke algorithm and refined into a distinct BMW acoustic signature to enhance the Neue Klasse’s in-cabin experience.
Last month, BMW signed an agreement with China’s Alibaba group to integrate the latter’s AI-powered digital cockpit platform into its forthcoming models to be sold in China.
