Harmony

Toyota Uruguay (Ayax SA) is the official representative of Toyota and Suzuki in Uruguay, known for its commitment to quality, reliability, and advanced automotive technology.

As a leading player in the local automotive market, Ayax focuses on integrating cutting-edge innovations that enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Their commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainable development made them the ideal partner for developing the HY Project, a system that aligns with their vision of technological and environmental advancement.

The European regulation requiring all new hybrid and electric vehicles to be equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) presented an opportunity to rethink how these systems function.

Rather than emitting a simple artificial noise, Ayax SA and Toyota partnered to create an AVAS that could contribute positively to the environment.

Research indicated that specific sound frequencies could benefit plant growth, which led to the question: Could the sound emitted by hybrid cars be more than just a safety feature?

The Focus team closely collaborated with sound synthesizing experts and Toyota’s engineering team to develop a device capable of adding the HY sound system to any electric or hybrid vehicle as a plugin.

The project started with a research and concept validation stage, followed by hardware and software design, prototyping, testing, and final deployment.

Key milestones included dynamic sound synthesis based on vehicle speed, real-time data acquisition from the CAN bus, and rigorous testing to ensure compliance with automotive standards.

Continuous collaboration with Ayax ensured that the system met both technical and regulatory requirements.

The solution involved designing a robust hardware device with an embedded microprocessor capable of reading vehicle data and dynamically adjusting sound output.

The device runs on a Linux embedded distribution and implements a synthesizer app that modifies the synthesis parameters based on vehicle speed and operational conditions.

This unique approach not only enhances safety by alerting pedestrians but also emits sound frequencies that promote plant growth and nutrient absorption, turning a regulatory requirement into an environmental benefit.

The HY Project achieved significant recognition, winning Silver and Bronze Lions at the 2021 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the Radio & Audio category.

The system successfully combined safety and environmental benefits, setting a new standard for AVAS technology.

By stimulating plant growth, the HY Project contributes to the natural absorption of CO2, complementing the low emissions of hybrid vehicles.

The project not only met the regulatory requirements but also demonstrated how innovative engineering can have a positive impact on the environment, enhancing Ayax’s reputation as a leader in sustainable automotive solutions.