Research for Reducing Automobile Noise
Sustainability Journal
Research for Reducing Automobile Noise
Left: Keiji Otsu (Former President, Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.)
In May 2024, Keisuke Abe, a SUBARU engineer, received the Asahara Science Award* at the 74th Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE) Awards for his research on reducing automobile noise.
- *
- The award is presented to a promising up-and-coming individual under the age of 37 who has published an outstanding paper or other work on automotive technology.
When EVs such as HEVs or BEVs are running on motors, unpleasant noises such as road noise and motor noise, which are conventionally drowned out by engine noise, become noticeable. Abe’s research identified body panels that contribute to noise reduction over a wide range of frequencies and developed a methodology to define requirements for the body framework.
By utilizing the results of this research, we can expect to provide quiet and comfortable vehicles without increasing the mass of the vehicle. Lighter vehicle bodies lead to longer cruising range and reduced emissions, which in turn helps protect the environment.
While IT technology and autonomous driving tend to be the focus of recent vehicle development, SUBARU has continued to refine the basic performance of its vehicles when driving, turning, and stopping, including noise reduction. In the future, we will further advance these technologies and continue our “Value Creation” efforts.