Submission Date
23-8-2026
Resource Type
Collection (a group of items)
File Format
WAV, MP3, PDF
Abstract
Driving emotion is a headphone-based spatial audio experience created for electric vehicle brands. As electric vehicles become quieter, manufacturers commonly reintroduce synthetic engine sound; this project explores the opposite proposition, treating reduced noise as a perceptual gain rather than a loss. The work was produced in Logic Pro using Dolby Atmos object-based mixing and delivered as a binaural render, with sound organised into distinct spatial layers: anchored to the listener, diffuse within the field, and moving through space. An audience test with 21 participants returned mean ratings of 4.57 for immersion and 4.62 for spatial realism, with 18 of 21 rating movement through space as very effective. A comparison between listeners working in audio and those from other fields showed the perception of detail in quiet passages was significantly higher among trained listeners, identifying quiet sections as the element most in need of support for general audiences. Ambisonic recordings were captured with a Rode NT-SF1 in two electric vehicles. The project documents its limitations, including the use of non-individualised HRTF processing.
Note
Format
Headphone-based binaural spatial audio experience. Duration approximately 3 minutes. Produced in Logic Pro using Dolby Atmos object-based mixing and delivered as a binaural stereo render. Headphones are required; loudspeaker playback does not reproduce the spatial image.
Genre
Spatial audio / sound design / experience design.
Exhibition
First presented publicly at the SAE Institute Gold Coast Major Project exhibition, Studio 16, August 2026.
Recording sessions
Ambisonic recordings captured with a Rode NT-SF1 microphone in a BYD Atto 3 (Gold Coast, August 2026) and a Porsche Macan Electric at Porsche Centre Gold Coast showroom (August 2026). This material is documented as completed capture and held for integration in future versions of the work.
Industry engagement
Porsche Centre Gold Coast was engaged as industry research, which led to confirmed showroom access for spatial recording. This engagement is recorded as research and access rather than sponsorship, endorsement or partnership. The project makes no claim to official association with the brand.
Audio source credits
Sound elements sourced from Freesound: "Car driving in highway with muffled wind" by felix.blume (CC0) "Electric car start-up and drive away" by evsecrets (CC0) "Morning Garden Ambience with birds" by 170084 (CC BY-NC 4.0) "Zipper and hoodie clothes rustle" by reconsider59 (CC0) "Boy or Young Child Laughing" by OBXJohn (CC0)
Additional sound elements licensed via Splice. All other audio self-recorded or synthesised.
AI tool use
Generative AI (Claude, Anthropic) was used for statistical summary and segmentation of audience test data, structuring of written material, explanation of HRTF processing and identification of academic literature, and drafting of professional correspondence. No AI-generated audio appears in the work.
Audience
General (G) - suitable for everyone
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Mezzomo, A. (2026). Driving emotion [Bachelor's Major Project, SAE University College]. Creo.