Continental has unveiled its "Ac2ated Sound" technology. By integrating sound actuators into the display, the entire display unit becomes a resonance chamber for sound output.
The Ac2ated Sound system from Continental uses actuators that are installed invisibly behind the display surface and induce audible vibrations in the glass.
Continental AG
Continental is integrating the speaker function directly into the display unit for the first time with its "Ac2ated Sound" display. Using the display surface as a resonance chamber is expected to offer numerous advantages for a new user experience, with acoustic feedback, speech, or other audio content being output directly from the screen, which could replace individual conventional speakers, according to Continental. The system uses actuators (vibration generators) that are installed invisibly behind the display glass and cause it to vibrate audibly.
The surface of the display is said to be very well suited for use as a sound-emitting resonance body: Thanks to its structure and properties, it offers optimal acoustic characteristics, which are determined by factors such as internal damping, the stiffness of the material, and the surface weight to be vibrated, according to Continental. This offers several advantages for automotive use. For example, the actuators, which are only a few centimeters in size, can be integrated into the display unit with extremely low space requirements. This saves on installation costs compared to a conventional loudspeaker, as no separate components are required.
Weight and Installation Space Reduced by Up to 90 %
In addition to its use in displays, the technology can also be integrated into almost any existing flat component in the vehicle interior: By implementing additional actuators in door panels, headrests, A-pillars, or the headliner, for example, the entire audio system of the vehicle can be converted to "Ac2ated Sound" technology to vibrate existing surfaces in the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for conventional speakers. In addition to visual advantages, this is expected to result in a reduction in installation space for the audio system of up to 90 % and a weight saving of up to 40 kg compared to conventional speaker systems.
This is a partly automated translation of this German article.
