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Nissan Gives Electric Cars Blade Runner Audio Effect

Posted by timothy on from the downloadable-cartones-just-$10-each dept.

mateuscb writes "A campaign backed by automakers and some lawmakers to make electric or hybrid cars noisier in a bid to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists has taken a strange, Blade Runner-type twist. Nissan sound engineers have announced that the Leaf electric car set for release next year will emit a 'beautiful and futuristic' noise similar to the sound of flying cars — or 'spinners' — that buzz around 2019 Los Angeles in Ridley Scott's dystopian thriller based on a Philip K. Dick science fiction novel."

19 of 553 comments (clear)

  1. But... by e4g4 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...one of the nice things about electric cars is that they're so quiet. Can you turn the sound off?

    --
    The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. - Albert Einstein
    1. Re:But... by rvw · · Score: 5, Funny

      ...one of the nice things about electric cars is that they're so quiet. Can you turn the sound off?

      By then we will not download ringtones anymore, but cartones. Think of the possibilities! Make your Focus sound like a Ferrari, make it swing like Michael Jackson. Living next to the highway will be very entertaining.

    2. Re:But... by dotgain · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But at TFS says, it's a 'safety feature', I'd imagine you could 'turn it off' about as easily as the airbags or that thing that beeps when you're in reverse, and that's not without messing with wiring.

    3. Re:But... by nametaken · · Score: 5, Funny

      More like an erection.

    4. Re:But... by paeanblack · · Score: 5, Informative

      But at TFS says, it's a 'safety feature', I'd imagine you could 'turn it off' about as easily as the airbags or that thing that beeps when you're in reverse, and that's not without messing with wiring.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_flag_laws

      These proposals are just as idiotic.

      It's the drivers' responsibility to maintain control of their vehicles and be cognizant of sudden dangers in the street. Any attempts delegate this responsibility onto pedestrians, wildlife, and falling trees are completely retarded.

    5. Re:But... by vigilology · · Score: 5, Funny

      Speaking of whooshes...

    6. Re:But... by Craevenwulfe · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Try being blind and then guessing when it's safe to cross the road...

    7. Re:But... by Idiomatick · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "hit the anchors and come to a dead stop in twenty feet just because some asshole saunterd out into the road because "the law" says he's allowed is absolutely ridiculous."

      Uhhh if he's not jaywalking and reached the corner first and you are at a distance where it is safe for you to stop then yeah.... You really should stop...
      If you are driving at a speed through an intersection where you are unable to stop if something comes out then you are a danger and will hopefully have your license taken before you kill anyone.

      People crossing at the crosswalk aren't idiots. The right of way is NOT determined by who dies or everyone would be driving tanks and walking anywhere would be completely impossible. Main st in my town is a 60zone with lots of cars, the way you are talking you sound like you'd be happy splitting the city into essentially little islands.

    8. Re:But... by dylan_- · · Score: 5, Funny

      And if they're blind?

      Then they really shouldn't be driving at all...

      --
      Igor Presnyakov stole my hat
  2. Siren Noise by Karganeth · · Score: 5, Funny

    They should make some kind of noise that sounds significantly different when its coming towards you compared with going away from you, just like how an ambulance or police siren is.

    1. Re:Siren Noise by Boiling_point_ · · Score: 5, Funny

      Wheeeee-Oshhhhhhhhh!

      --
      "If you create user accounts, by default, they will have an account type of Administrator with no password." KB Q293834
  3. Re:Do electric sheep by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 5, Funny

    Only in your dreams.

    But are they really your dreams?

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    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
  4. Car Ring Tones!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From the article ~ "Some reports suggest that in the future, car owners will download a sound for their car the way many consumers buy ring tones for their cellphones."

    Oh crap, now we have to listen to cars playing crappy tunes on bad speakers all the time. Can't their be a law against this proposed. I think a few dead pedestrians is worth the loss of the noise pollution.

  5. Ringtone cars by nnnneedles · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please not ringtone cars. Please please please. It's ten years into the future and I can't stand it already.

    --
    Will code a sig generator for food
  6. Re:Deaf people cope by Imrik · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Blind people don't have the option of looking.

  7. Re:It's Not About Safety, It's About Macho by Joce640k · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want mine to make the sound of a Bell HU-1 ...with optional Wagner overlay.

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    No sig today...
  8. Re:Interesting job title by miggyb · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I want the Windows 95 TADA noise when my airbags are deployed. I love for my cars to have a sense of sarcasm.

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    This signature serves no purpose other than to help you see which posts were made by me.
  9. Re:It's Not About Safety, It's About Macho by srhill · · Score: 5, Funny

    My friend owns a Prius, and if it's moving at a fairly low speed you won't hear it at all.

    All you hear are the horrifying screams of the pedestrians being mowed down at 3 mph.

  10. Re:It's Not About Safety, It's About Macho by Thing+1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mine will chant "kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit"

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