Delphi Automotive has developed two new vehicle sound generators, to help global vehicle manufacturers warn pedestrians of approaching hybrid and electric vehicles. Designed to comply with legislation expected to mandate minimum sound levels for both hybrid and electric vehicles.

“Industry analysts predict hybrid and electric vehicle warning sounds, already covered by guidelines in Japan, will be required in North America and Europe in the near future,” said Beth Schwarting, general director, Electronic Controls product business unit at Delphi. “Our goal is to help customers address market-driven challenges with environmentally friendly and affordable technologies.”

Using expertise gained from decades of vehicle alarm system experience, Delphi has developed two environmentally friendly sound generators – called sounders – that enable pedestrians to detect nearby hybrid and electric vehicles which, without the sound generator, are nearly silent.

Both Delphi systems are robust enough to be mounted in the harsh environment under the vehicle’s hood and incorporate a 32-bit microprocessor with flash memory, a link to the vehicle’s data bus and an audio class-D amplifier.

“Delphi’s sound generators are specifically designed to warn pedestrians of oncoming hybrid and electric vehicles moving at low speed,” said Diedrich von Behr, managing director Electronic Controls Europe. “Not only do these “green” systems enhance safety by helping to make pedestrians aware of approaching vehicles, they become more valuable when integrated with other vehicle systems.”