The Adaptive Car Stereo

Some people spend more money on their car stereo than on their home hi-fi. They want a perfect sonic experience while they're driving.

Unfortunately, the presence of people inside the car might disturb the sounds and upset the stereo effect. People absorb and reflect the sounds distorting them.

However, the IBM researchers now have the solution: a dashboard computer that can automatically cancel out such distortions and bring back the perfection. The system uses 6 sound sensors to determine whether the sound from each speaker is received at a selected location at the same volume level.

To calibrate the system the driver sits in an empty car and manually adjusts the volume and tone to their taste. From then on, each time the car is started, the system sends inaudible test signals through all the speakers and automatically adjusts the balance taking into account the presence of other people inside the car.

Hidden microphones placed in the headrests are used to assure that each passenger receives a good overall sound while the system still maintains the best possible stereo effect for the driver (or to the selected location).