As today’s infotainment systems become more cutting-edge, a lot of the audio setups that complement them are likewise getting more complex. True audiophiles will insist on having more speakers to help bring out that “true sound”. Yet one company is actually hoping to ditch the speaker in the hopes of bringing out those natural notes.
If this sounds absurd, consider what Continental has in store for the future of automotive audio. Instead of placing speakers all over the car, it will use the actual car as one giant speaker in a system known as Ac2ated. The thinking behind this is that there are actual areas in the automobile that are excellent sound carriers.
The A-pillars, for instance, are optimal spots for high frequencies. The doors, meanwhile, are the midrange areas, while the roof and rear deck make the best subwoofers. To help bring out these frequencies, Continental will make use of actuators that are similar to the coils and magnet found in a speaker.
While all this sounds really cool, it actually has its benefits. Ditching the physical speakers and various components like wires and the like can shave some 50lbs from the vehicle’s weight. Moreover, these now empty spaces can be used for storage bins and the like. And probably the biggest plus is the actual sound: with the car being THE speaker, the passenger gets to experience true surround sound as they are in the middle of it all.
So, are you ready to turn your car into one giant speaker?
