Audio data is generated for a vehicle audio system using a portable computing device. Vehicle parameter data is received at the portable computing device from a vehicle. Sound parameter data is generated from the vehicle parameter data. Audio data is generated using a synthesizer based on the sound parameter data. The generated audio data is transmitted to the vehicle audio system from the portable computing device.

A driving sound library provides driving sounds classified in various themes to a user by analyzing frequency characteristics and temporal characteristics of sound sources classified into categories and determining a chord corresponding to each sound source based on the frequency characteristics and the time characteristics. Modulated sound sources in which each sound source is modulated are generated by applying a chord corresponding to each sound source. The driving sound sources are generated using the sound sources and the modulated sound sources as input data. Pitches of the driving sound sources are then changed based on the driving sound sources and engine sound orders corresponding to an engine RPM of a preset range. Scores for each theme for the driving sounds are generated.

An apparatus and method for pitch-shifting an audio signal with low complexity are disclosed. The method includes identifying a distance between an audio object included in the audio signal and a listener, checking whether the distance between the audio object and the listener decreases, and performing stepwise stretching pitch-shifting of repeatedly using at least one of frequency components of the audio signal when the distance between the audio object and the listener decreases.

An electric vehicle includes front and rear wheels, a battery, an electric motor that drives at least one of the front and rear wheels, an accelerator, and a mode shift operator that is operated by a user in order to switch drive modes. The electric vehicle includes a driving force characteristics setter that sets, for each of the plurality of drive modes, driving force characteristics which are characteristics of an accelerator opening degree and a target motor driving force for the rotational speed of the electric motor. The electric vehicle further includes a controller which shifts up, according to an operation of the mode shift operator, the drive mode from a first drive mode to a second drive mode and which controls the target motor driving force according to the driving force characteristics. When a shift-down prohibition condition is met, the controller prohibits a shift down from the second drive mode to the first drive mode.

A sound synthesis system is provided with a loudspeaker to project sound indicative of synthesized motor sound in response to receiving a synthesized sound (SS) signal, and a processor. The processor is programmed to: estimate motor sound based on a sensor signal indicative of sound present within a passenger compartment; identify a dominant motor harmonic of the motor sound with an amplitude and a frequency; determine an enrichment value of the motor sound; determine if the motor sound is unenriched based on a comparison of the enrichment value to an enrichment threshold value; generate at least one additional motor harmonic with a first frequency that is different than the frequency of the dominant motor harmonic in response to the motor sound being unenriched; and provide the SS signal to the loudspeaker, wherein the SS signal is indicative of the at least one additional motor harmonic.

A driving sound library provides driving sounds classified in various themes to a user by analyzing frequency characteristics and temporal characteristics of sound sources classified into categories and determining a chord corresponding to each sound source based on the frequency characteristics and the time characteristics. Modulated sound sources in which each sound source is modulated are generated by applying a chord corresponding to each sound source. The driving sound sources are generated using the sound sources and the modulated sound sources as input data. Pitches of the driving sound sources are then changed based on the driving sound sources and engine sound orders corresponding to an engine RPM of a preset range. Scores for each theme for the driving sounds are generated.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may emit masking sounds during operation of the UAV to mask other sounds generated by the UAV during operation. The UAV may be used to deliver items to a residence or other location associated with a customer. The UAV may emit sounds that mask the conventional sounds generated by the propellers and/or motors to cause the UAV to emit sounds that are pleasing to bystanders or do not annoy the bystanders. The UAV may emit sounds using speakers or other sound generating devices, such as fins, reeds, whistles, or other devices which may cause sound to be emitted from the UAV. Noise canceling algorithms may be used to cancel at least some of the conventional noise generated by operation of the UAV using inverted sounds, while additional sound may be emitted by the UAV, which may not be subject to noise cancelation.

An apparatus and method for pitch-shifting an audio signal with low complexity are disclosed. The method includes identifying a distance between an audio object included in the audio signal and a listener, checking whether the distance between the audio object and the listener decreases, and performing stepwise stretching pitch-shifting of repeatedly using at least one of frequency components of the audio signal when the distance between the audio object and the listener decreases.

An environment awareness system includes a memory and first and second modules. The memory is configured to store environmental data, one or more music composition templates, and one or more maps, where the environmental data is indicative of at least one of a state, condition, or change in an environment in which the environment awareness system is located. The first module is configured to receive and store the environmental data in the memory. The second module is configured to: based on the one or more music composition templates and the one or more maps, convert the environmental data to a music signal including modifying variables in the one or more music composition templates based on the environmental data; and based on the music signal, play out a musical composition via an audio system to audibly indicate the at least one of the state, condition, or change in the environment.

A sound synthesis system is provided with a loudspeaker to project sound indicative of synthesized motor sound in response to receiving a synthesized sound (SS) signal, and a processor. The processor is programmed to: estimate motor sound based on a sensor signal indicative of sound present within a passenger compartment; identify a dominant motor harmonic of the motor sound with an amplitude and a frequency; determine an enrichment value of the motor sound; determine if the motor sound is unenriched based on a comparison of the enrichment value to an enrichment threshold value; generate at least one additional motor harmonic with a first frequency that is different than the frequency of the dominant motor harmonic in response to the motor sound being unenriched; and provide the SS signal to the loudspeaker, wherein the SS signal is indicative of the at least one additional motor harmonic.