Kia Motors’ Separated Sound Zone Tech Delivers Personalized Audio Experience to Passengers
Kia Motors revealed its next-generation Separated Sound Zone Technology, which is designed to created a customized audio experience for passengers without having to wear headphones
Photo: Kia Motors
Passengers will no longer have to suffer through the driver’s musical choices even if they forget their headphones thanks to Kia Motors’ newly revealed next-generation Separated Sound Zone Technology.
Kia News: Kia Soul earns repeat spot on 10 Best Family Cars List
“Customers in the autonomous navigation era will demand increasingly customizable entertainment options within their vehicles, which includes technological innovations such as the Separated Sound System.” says Kang-duck Ih, research fellow at Kia’s NVH Research Lab. “I hope by providing drivers and passengers with tailored, independent audio spaces, they will experience a more comfortable and entertaining transportation environment.”
Kia Motors’ SSZ technology gives passengers the ability to do hands-free calling, select preferred music, and avoid hearing car alerts and warnings. Although drivers, too, can customize their audio space, the technology does not cancel out sounds vital to the driver’s safety such as navigation cues, system warnings, and vehicle alerts.
“SSZ technology creates and controls the acoustic fields of the car, allowing the driver and each passenger to hear isolated sounds,” reports Kia.
Audio levels of sound waves are enhanced or decreased through the many speakers in the SSZ technology-equipped Kia vehicle.
“This negates the overlap of sounds being heard in each seat, creating the same effect as current noise cancellation systems, but without the need for headphones,” according to the automaker.
Learn More: Kia sells 5 million Sportage models
Without having to escape into your own world via headphones yet still being able to enjoy your preferred soundtracks, the advanced technology of SSZ allows a conversation-friendly cabin. SSZ doesn’t limit the number of connections either since passengers use Bluetooth wireless technology to connect their individual smartphones. Vehicles will feature the SSZ technology in the next one to two years, according to Kia.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.