Porsche Uses AI For New Noise Detection Tech

Dec. 11, 2020 6:05 PM ET by Karl Furlong Technology / Comments

Using AI, 'Sounce' can detect various noises more accurately than the human ear.

Porsche may be the purveyor of some of the finest sports cars in existence, such as the iconic 911, but the German automaker can also be thought of as a technology company. Porsche constantly pushes engineering boundaries and trials innovative techniques for processes that have been done the same way for decades.

A case in point came earlier this year when the company experimented with 3D printing for creating the pistons for the 911 GT2 RS. In the latest showcase of the brand's expertise, Porsche Digital has come up with an artificial intelligence tool that can be used for precise noise detection.

Porsche

Known as a digital assistant called 'Sounce', the technology can detect background noise more reliably, which is useful for engineers when, for example, undertaking endurance testing. Typically, engineers would have to be physically present for these sorts of tests, which can be a strain on them, but Sounce eliminates this need.

The technology's benefits are numerous. It can, for instance, enhance component production within the auto industry, while also improve accuracy in error documentation. Any other testing scenario with multiple noises that could be challenging to interpret with the human ear could be made far easier.

Porsche

"With Sounce, it is possible to reliably check the noise development of load-bearing components round the clock and under various conditions," said Patricia Rennart from Porsche Digital. "This enables us to improve the opportunities for analysis in early component tests."

While the advantages of Sounce are primarily seen during the development stages, owners of newer cars are increasingly benefiting from a quieter driving experience thanks to active noise cancelation, with Jaguar Land Rover one of the brands to incorporate this impressive tech. The system can significantly reduce driver fatigue and strain, especially over longer journeys.

Whether in a testing lab or on the road, the latest advances in sound technology are making the lives of both engineers and drivers easier.