Nissan Leaf VSP Vechicle Sound for Pedestrians

[papakaladoophirseh]

fuck thatttt my vtec goes bwaaAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

[PedAdvocate]

For one research study behind the Quiet Vehicle safety problem, see "Incidence of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crashes by Hybrid Electric Passenger Vehicles Technical Report" by NHTSA. For those who don't understand why the sound of traffic is important to blind pedestrians, talk to one of your blind friends about how they determine when it might be safe to cross the street.

[TheJohnFisher]

Should have added some real engine sounds. I'm pretty sure that is feasible, and sounds far more appealing to people today.

[vahnn0]

I want it to blast the Mario Star Power tune while I go on a road rage killing spree!!!!!

You know?

[mightyPants]

MARIO THEME TUNE PLEASE

[DBSpy1]

Who is looking out for the deaf, what about people with parcel hearing and sounds like that being very very painful?

[etiennedauphin]

@DBSpy1 What about people who are afraid of flying: the Nissan sound will remind them too much of a jet engine and it can be a disrupting experience for these people to just hear the car. What about people who are afraid of cars, automophobia? Are they going to paint the cars pink with pictures of little kitten on it?

My point is they can't build the perfect car just for people with rare disabilities. People at Nissan did a very sensible thing by adding the VSP. It's ridiculous to expect more.

[DBSpy1]

@etiennedauphin So why even make a special one for anyone then,why hurt others just for one.

[etiennedauphin]

@DBSpy1 Are you trolling? In case you're not, here's a short explanation: In today's world, companies like Nissan may seem to care about people with disabilities (in this case, the blind). However, if you dig a little, you'll find there's always a monetary motivation to do what they did. With the Leaf they said they added the VSP for the blind. We all know all Hybrids are too quiet, and many of them still surprise ppl without disabilities because we all rely more than we think on hearing (...)

[DBSpy1]

@etiennedauphin I'm down to one ear and certain sounds are very painful and I'm not alone by a long shot, can you understand what I am trying to say yet?

[etiennedauphin]

@DBSpy1 Yes I can empathize with your situation. I can't claim I understand what it's like to have a disability like yours: I'd be lying since my hearing is fine. Fortunately for you, the Leaf still seems to be a timid entry in the electric vehicle category. Since it's the first time a car manufacturer 'adds' a sound to a car, chances are future models will be different, and will feature different and more 'refined' sounds that won't be too painful to you. Best wishes --ED. 

[DBSpy1]

@etiennedauphin What you said makes me very angry,how dare you put one group of people over others.

[etiennedauphin]

@DBSpy1 (...) before xing the street. I have no idea but I think it's a fair assumption that Toyota got their ass sued because the 1st gen. Prius was "too quiet" and a kid was hit. In fact, it's a problem common to all hybrids using the electric mode at slow speeds (ie city, where collisions w/ pedest. are more likely). Like I said, it's a sensible thing that Nissan did that, it'll be useful for us all. It's also free publicity. And it's a safety net against lawsuits. (re: monetary motivation)

[DBSpy1]

@etiennedauphin Thank you for the info,I hope they take all people into account before adding any kind of sounds,all people. From what Ive seen,they have not at all and they are pushing what they like on everyone.

[yakyakyak69]

An intermittent beeping noise is fitted as standard to commercial vehicles such as buses and lorries, but UK law states that the sound must be capable of being disabled between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am.

The audible system on the Leaf did not allow for that to be done, so the beeping sound is being removed entirely before the cars can be driven on roads in this country.

[GRaFkiyv]

Who has not had time yet to buy a steering wheel and pedals - smoking! On the keyboard so you will not be able to ride :)

[ultimateguitar553]

i would take a 6.0 liter V12 found in the Lamborghini Diablo over this shit box anyday

Fuck you Al Gore. He hates cars and driving, hes trying to fuck the enthusiast world over.

[Jourei91]

I want to change that sound in to a jet plane.

Damn do I wish that sound effect is customizable.

[bobbie4]

How about just have the car announce " I'm coming, get out of my f*&king way" over and over in a very nasal sounding voice?

[datpimpinboy]

@bobbie4 lol

[csad84]

The safest sound is obviously that of a Harley Davidson.

[tkrywit]

Is it too much to ask that the driver of the leaf looks out for pedestrians? Making electric cars louder seems like a step backwards.

[couchfort]

I like my real cars, thank you. The only way you'd get me into one of these is if you make it play the Benny Hill theme everywhere I go.

[kermitek91]

The sound is just ok, nothing special, its not that annoying and could be handled. If not that, it probably wouldnt have any sound at all :). Maybe there will be a way to change it or mute it by some crack.exe ;P

[jonnybryce]

those are two of the most irritating noises i have ever heard

[blazer0x]

That reverse sound is horrible. My driveway goes right by the bedroom window. Everytime it was backed out it would be like an alarm clock waking up whoever was sleeping.

[nottinmatterz2day]

jesus christ

[Jastro54]

I am hoping there is a way to UPLOAD new sounds for the LEAF. I am thinking of maybe a Harley Fat Boy sound. Really freak the pedestrians out>

[rock3tcat]

I would like my EV to sound like Mr. T... :D

[heartlessvietboy]

i think that since electric vehicles are so quiet, having the electric car beep quietly twice when reversing will help eliminate pedestrian accidents. Also standard on all electric cars will be reverse sensing technology that will automatically stop the vehicle within 1 feet of any person/object when reversing. The Nissan Leaf will be one of the first mass produced electric cars out there.  And more automobile manufacturers will began building clean electric cars.

[01234oku]

isn't important for the car's driver to listen to the other cars while driving??? How are we supposed to know when a car is approaching if we cant listen it from the cabin?...

[Xbitpirate]

Instantly annoying. =/

[78923451]

Just another hoop for electric cars to jump thru. Mean while gas powered cars are getting quieter

All thru the years car mfr. have strive to make quieter cars NOW electric cars are too quiet,?!? This is bureaucracy at its finest. Just another roadblock for the electric car.

[eldictator1]

blind people thanks for fucking up the electric car....here's a tip for the blind charities, teach people to use crossings

[angeldn3]

@eldictator1 really we don't want to change the cars, they are not changing the zero emmission they are adding a low noise product. 

[YouAreThick]

Couldn't watch more than 20 seconds of this ridiculously cheesy amercan shite. Worst accent ever, worst music ever, biggest cheese ever.

[RigoStar]

annoying sound!!

[d06svt]

What was wrong with a horn to tell pedestrians to get out of the damn road?

[leafownersgroup]

I added a new shorter version with just the sounds...

[TayZonday]

I find both of those sounds to be very annoying. I would rather have it blast Michael Jackson.

[sailboat910]

@TayZonday people who blare their music are retarded...its just annoying. and they ruin their speakers too.

[MattJATL]

@sailboat910 Not if you have good speakers :D

[sailboat910]

@MattJATL i guess.....

[Uberwagon]

Why all this silly PR video but NO Leaf sound! This was a waste of time.

[downtempo76]

If Nissan go for the X-wing or TIE fighter sound, put some blasters on it and some Empire music when I open the door I'm getting one! :)

[glamdring007]

3:19 the narrator states, "zero emission driving". People need to stop spreading mis-information. Just because your emissions come out of a smoke stack 50 miles away does not mean your zero emissions.

[alrich68]

@glamdring007 While you are correct regarding the fact that there are emissions in energy production, those emissions are far less than would be generated out of the tail pipe. Plus, don't discount the fact that not all electricity is produced via a smoke stack spouting facilities. Your vehicle truly could be emission free depending on where and when you charge it.

[eldictator1]

@glamdring007 yes it does, lets not be pedantic, zero emission car means zero emission car....

[Jastro54]

@glamdring007 Get a LIFE!!!!! WHA WHA WHA...

Do you live in a dark house, no air conditioning, walk up the stairwell instead of using an elevator??? I thought not.

[cabasse]

the damn sound starts around 3:29 in case you don't want to waste 3 and half minutes of your damn life :-P

[Rickdeckard2020]

Completely retarded. Modern quality ICE cars are quite silent at low revs and theres no decibel limit below which vehicles be they cars or bicycles need to be equipped with a noise pollution generator. Plus pedestrians get hit by 18 wheelers, trucks, buses, and cars, not because the pedestrian is blind or the freaking truck is silent but because the DRIVER doesnt notice the pedestrian before its too late. IF the safety of the blind is a real concern have them wear a hat with a strobe light on it

[Embosan]

@Rickdeckard2020 Agree completely; I've driven up behind people in parking lots with my conventional ICE car and they frequently don't hear me--so what's the answer from the safety savants about ICE cars that are "too quiet"? Christ, we work to make cars quieter in a noisy world and now this? And, what's the actual data on blind v car collisions anyway? Anybody got that?

[malgacho]

I believe that statistics will show that adding sound to electric cars is unnecessary. But I'm glad Nissan took a smart approach in adding an unobtrusive safety sound system. Creating more noise pollution is not the answer, and eventually the blind and their advocates will realize the benefits of moving towards a quieter world.

[eldictator1]

@malgacho exactly! Whoever legislates this bullshit needs to show some empirical evidence, studies and accident data for the quietest cars....there are none

There are however studies showing traffic noise pollution has adverse effects

[angeldn3]

@eldictator1 oh yes there are the National Federation of the Blind as well as the American Council of the Blind have done many with the car companies. Another issue we know how to cross the street, and it has nothing to do with the blind, a few senators and assembly people have been nipped as well. I am also a business owner in the travel industry.