Ford File Patent for Multi-Vehicle Surround Sound!

[gene]

Ford has applied for a patent for a “multi-vehicle audio system.” The patent describes the use of multiple autonomous vehicles to provide audio playback for outdoor parties, movies, music festivals, and more. Each vehicle would act as one speaker in a multi-channel system.

Now imagine that, suddenly, you hear a full Dolby Atmos soundtrack being reproduced, with sound coming from every direction — including above you. Looking up, you see drones hovering in multiple positions across the sky, each holding a down-firing loudspeaker system. Ford’s idea for a multi-vehicle audio system could make outdoor Dolby Atmos a reality in any environment without the need to build a permanent installation.

Read: Ford Seeks Patent For Multi-Vehicle Audio System

Do you think Ford’s patent application will result in a real product or feature in the autonomous vehicles of the near future?

Share your thoughts in the related forum thread below.

 

[Antares]

I think it will result mostly in car crashes.

 

[TLS Guy]

Ford has applied for a patent for a “multi-vehicle audio system.” The patent describes the use of multiple autonomous vehicles to provide audio playback for outdoor parties, movies, music festivals, and more. Each vehicle would act as one speaker in a multi-channel system.

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Now imagine that, suddenly, you hear a full Dolby Atmos soundtrack being reproduced, with sound coming from every direction — including above you. Looking up, you see drones hovering in multiple positions across the sky, each holding a down-firing loudspeaker system. Ford’s idea for a multi-vehicle audio system could make outdoor Dolby Atmos a reality in any environment without the need to build a permanent installation.

Read: Ford Seeks Patent For Multi-Vehicle Audio System

Do you think Ford’s patent application will result in a real product or feature in the autonomous vehicles of the near future?

Share your thoughts in the related forum thread below.

Someone at Ford needs a different line of work!

 

[j_garcia]

April Fools came early, or they see a use for this? Interesting idea, but what is the real use case?

 

[highfigh]

How long before the batteries need to be charged?

This would have been great when drive in theaters were popular.

 

[Mikado463]

Re-defines 'Fix-Or-Repair-Daily' ........

 

[Bobby Bass]

I can imagine future tailgates with all the trucks playing the same music. Only who is the artist we have to agree.

 

[CinemaDude]

Hmmm, so I go to an outdoor concert and my car's audio system becomes part of the venue's sound system. Do I get compensated for them using my sound system rather than they needing to bring in their own gear? And does this mean that every car's sound system has to have the exact same characteristics, especially with respect to power, as every other car's system? And what happens if I want to leave the concert early -- is the concert audio diminished in mid-show? And then three or four other cars decide they want to leave as well, or my kid accidently turns off the AUX or the car battery dies and now that car drops out of the configuration. What sound mixer is going to rely on a system where he won't know how many cars will be there or what total amount of audio power he will be working with? I know every sound engineer that's worked in my venue over the years, has configured every aspect of his system and would never work with components he didn't specify and calibrate himself. Will these tech guys all of a sudden be happy with whatever cars show up and wherever they happen to park as being the system he gets to work with? Seriously?

And a lot seems to be made about the ability of the system to change modes. Since when has the sound mix in a live concert needed to switch from stereo to 5.1 or 7.2 or Atmos or to Mono (why even?).

Not to mention, we certainly have all seen the size and number of speaker arrays and massive subwoofer stacks that are used at live concerts. What kind of speakers will each car possibly be able to hold (and where) ? I don't care how many cars arrive at the venue, are they seriously going to be able to produce the sound pressure levels needed for a big R&R concert? Puhleeze!

And when the car's audio system is not being loaned out as an audio element for some producer's rock concert, how does that sound system give me the pristine audio quality INSIDE my car that I am expecting when I buy a new car? Do I buy a car with a sound system configured to work well OUTSIDE my car rather than a system designed to work well INSIDE my car? Why would I buy a dual functioning system? Now I guess folks will have to consider how many concerts they plan on going to in a year.

Sounds like this is a technology trying to fill a non-existing need and therefor one of those many patents that will never see the light of day.