Continental Is Reinventing the Car Audio System as New Tech Turns Flat Surfaces Into Speakers
A German company, Continental, has come up with a revolutionary idea for in-car audio: turning flat surfaces into speakers. This new technology could change how we think about car sound systems, making them lighter, cheaper, and more integrated into the car’s interior.
Continental’s new sound system doesn’t use traditional speakers. Instead, it relies on its Ac2ated Sound Technology, developed in partnership with audio specialist Sennheiser. This system uses actuators to create sound by vibrating flat surfaces, like an instrument display. This means the entire display can act as a speaker, producing clear and high-quality sound.
The technology works by turning the display surface into a speaker through audible vibrations in the glass. These vibrations can produce all kinds of sounds, from music to spoken messages. Continental says the sound quality is “exceptional.”
One of the most impressive features is something called “acoustic localisation.” As humans, we instinctively turn our heads toward the source of a sound. This technology uses that instinct by making sure sounds come from the part of the car where your attention is needed. For example, if the display emits a spoken alert, the driver naturally looks at the screen.
The company says the technology could also replace traditional speakers entirely. By installing actuators in parts of the car like door panels, headrests, A-pillars, and even the roof, Continental could eliminate the need for bulky, traditional audio systems. This would save space and reduce weight, potentially by about 40kg.
According to Continental, “The thinking behind the combined audio and display technology comes from part of the team specializing in vehicle acoustics and also ‘psychoacoustics,’ the science of how humans perceive sound.”
This system doesn’t just save weight but also space. Some high-end audio systems have more than 30 speakers, taking up about 30 to 40 liters of space. By replacing these with vibration-based sound technology, car designers could have more freedom with interiors, as they wouldn’t need speaker grilles or separate audio units.
When Continental first showcased the system at CES in 2020, it was called the Speakerless Immersive Sound system. Back then, the focus was purely on audio rather than displays, and it used Sennheiser’s Ambeo 3D audio technology.
The concept was inspired by how musical instruments like violins produce sound. A violin’s wooden body acts as a resonance chamber, vibrating to project sound. Continental’s system works on a similar principle, using various surface sizes to handle different sound frequencies.
Although it started as a pure audio innovation, Continental’s latest version integrates sound with displays. The company believes this could change how we experience in-car audio, making it more intuitive and space-efficient. If this technology proves successful, it could become a standard feature in future vehicles, helping car manufacturers build lighter and more stylish interiors.
This innovation could be especially valuable as cars become more high-tech, blending multimedia and functionality in new and unexpected ways.
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