Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, a leading automotive supplier, has unveiled a new modular audio system designed specifically for electric vehicles (EVs) at CES 2023.
The system, which is patent-pending, offers a high-quality listening experience for EV drivers while also being more energy efficient and lightweight, making it more environmentally friendly.
A recent survey by the American Automobile Association found that 30% of Millennial buyers plan to purchase an EV for their next vehicle, and Panasonic’s new offering aims to help automakers meet the increasing demand for quality sound systems in EVs while also saving on production costs.
The system is modular and scalable, and uses the cabin environment for sound calibration. It also includes a power-saving EV audio option that reconfigures speaker placement to optimize sound and directs it directly towards the driver and passenger instead of filling the entire cabin.
“In today’s market, the next generation of buyers, who are increasingly Millennial and Gen Z, are looking for vehicles that both fit their lifestyle and, through well-crafted sound systems, offer enjoyable driving experiences,” said Andrew Poliak, CTO of Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America. “Our innovative audio system design achieves several engineering feats by lowering the cost of operating an EV. We have reduced half of the power output you would find traditional systems without compromising sound quality for the consumer.”
Panasonic’s rigorous technical testing results have shown that its unique application of bass delivery, speaker location, and sound tuning meets or exceeds performance thresholds of larger systems, delivering high-quality sound no matter where the passenger is seated.
Panasonic EV Audio achievements include:
- Modular, Space-Saving Speaker Design – By mapping the base audio system across the cabin, Panasonic has drastically simplified the number of speakers needed to maintain optimal sound performance. Eliminating bulky door speakers frees up space within the reach zone for drivers, and in turn reduces vehicular weight. This allows more space in the car for drivers, lowers the vehicle mass, and offers more efficiency in operation and manufacturing.
- Improved Acoustic Performance – The audio system delivers clean sound by shifting sound away from being haphazardly concentrated in the front or from the bottom of the cabin. Sound is noticeably directed toward passengers’ ears and can reduce listener fatigue on long drives. Compared to traditional speaker systems, this ensures that all passengers enjoy the same great audio performance.
- Lower Power Consumption – Testing of the new system design has shown up to 67% reduction in power consumed, conserving valuable energy that can be redirected to add up to more miles on the road for the average driver.
Panasonic’s EV Audio introduces a sustainable design with improved vehicle efficiency by reducing the system’s overall power draw. Possessing a simplified bill of materials, this audio system requires reduced gauge wiring that weighs less than traditional wiring, takes up less space, and relies less on costly amounts of metals, like copper. This result aims to enable a paradigm shift within the EV community to usher in a new wave of vehicle components design based on improved efficiency.
By developing an audio system intended for EVs, Panasonic has invested in improving the space, weight, power, and cost aspects of the vehicle to support not only market growth but also work toward Panasonic’s GREEN IMPACT initiative. This initiative is aimed at achieving a better quality of life and a sustainable global environment. As part of its commitment to sustainability, the company has outlined ambitious goals for decreasing the company’s own CO2 emission to virtually net-zero by 2030 and working toward 300 million tons in avoided emissions by 2050.
