The aim is to make future cars a space for ‘unique soundscape experiences’.
Renault and musician Jean-Michel Jarre (‘sound engineer’) are to join forces with the goal of making cars a space for unique soundscape experiences.
Renault and Jean-Michel Jarre have signed off on a partnership for at least three years. The fruits of their collaboration are expected to feature on the brand’s EV future models. However, Jean-Michel Jarre’s work is already present within the Renault line-up as he led the artistic direction for the sound systems on the Megane E-TECH Harman Kardon and all future models.
“Cars are great spaces in which you can create synergies between tech and the environment. Renault is a fast-changing car manufacturer and I truly wish to incorporate all my skills as a sound engineer into this world of myriad sound experiences,” said Jean-Michel Jarre, artist and sound engineer.
The collaboration between Renault and Jean-Michel Jarre revolves around three key areas:
‘Less is more’ audio system
The ‘Less is More’ technology built into the Scénic Vision concept car reflects Renault’s ambition to design an audio system using as few components as possible. It says this desire informed the soundscape design for the Scénic Vision, which has fewer speakers inside the car. An innovative audio system features mid-bass speakers located in each door with ‘sound bubbles’ installed in each head rest. Passengers, it is claimed, thus benefit from augmented, immersive, high-quality acoustics that are specific to each passenger.
New sound signature designed by Jean-Michel Jarre
With electric vehicles booming, now is the time to rethink ‘sound’, both inside and outside, Renault says. By entrusting Jean-Michel Jarre with the new sound signature of its electric models, Renault teams get to harness the artist’s full range of expertise and creativity. The sound signature covers a range of features: the welcome sequence when entering the vehicle, the entire audio system (components, location, algorithms), as well as the sound emitted by electric vehicles when running under 30 km/h to warn pedestrians (VSP: Vehicle Sound Pedestrian).
‘Sonic road’ – a Renault service for an enhanced sensory experience
Jean-Michel Jarre will also provide artistic insight for the very first algorithm of Renault’s innovative ‘Sonic Road’. This patented Renault service will provide passengers with the ideal soundtrack that draws on both the musical preferences of the driver and contextual information: places, landscapes, weather, or even time of the day.
Renault says that as a researcher and musician, Jean-Michel Jarre has devised a way of pairing contextual data detected by the car with musical content (music, podcasts, news…). A brand-new sensory experience for all passengers that will amplify the feeling of being fully immersed in the surrounding environment.