The Acoustic Art of AVAS: How We Designed Sounds That Keep Pedestrians Safe (Without Annoying Everyone Else)

Sep 01, 2025

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When we set out to design our AVAS acoustic vehicle alert system, we didn't just pick a "beep" and call it a day. There's real engineering behind crafting warning sounds that keep pedestrians safe and respect urban noise comfort-and that's a big deal for OEMs focused on user experience.

 

First, let's talk about perception. A warning sound needs to cut through background noise (like chatter or distant traffic) but not feel jarring. Our team tested dozens of tones in real-world spots-busy intersections, quiet residential streets, school zones-measuring how quickly people noticed them. We landed on a tone with a gradual volume increase (matched to vehicle speed, thanks to CAN data). It grabs attention without making people jump.

 

Then there's the "Du Du" reverse sound. We chose this pattern because it's instantly recognizable as a "backing up" cue-something drivers and pedestrians have associated with safety for decades. That familiarity matters in parking lots, where split-second reactions prevent collisions.

TRION AVAS acoustic vehicle alert system

For OEMs, this acoustic precision means EVs with our AVAS feel thoughtful, not intrusive. Imagine a city where every EV's warning sound is calibrated to be "just loud enough"-streets stay peaceful, but safety doesn't slip. Plus, our AVAS speaker's IP67 rating and temperature resilience (it works from -30°C to 85°C) mean these carefully crafted sounds stay clear, even in harsh weather or dusty environments.

 

We also obsessed over the speaker itself. It's built to deliver consistent sound output (up to 75 dB at 1 meter for 12V models) without distortion, so the warning tone stays reliable for years. That kind of durability is exactly what OEMs need to ensure long-term performance (no one wants a safety system that fails after a few months).

 

If you're curious how we fine-tuned each frequency and volume curve to balance safety and comfort, our AVAS acoustic vehicle alert system product page dives deeper into the tech behind the sound.