Soundproofing Autonomous Vehicle Computers for Passenger Comfort

The computing superstructure necessary for self-driving cars to function presents a unique acoustics problem - the fans produce significant amounts of noise within the cabin that is uncomfortable for passengers. To ensure consumer comfort and promote more widespread adoption of the technology, soundproofing is required. Any soundproofing solution must not compromise the ability of the self-driving computer to function, meaning that air flow must be preserved. To this end, the UTA Senior Design team creates testing procedures to identify the sound profile of May Mobility's Toyota Sienna. After identifying the frequency range and intensity of the fan noise within the cabin, the team can narrow down potential soundproofing solutions. Given the noise frequency range and air flow requirements, three materials that show promise are identified. The team's testing of varying configurations of cork, open-cell charcoal foam, and closed-cell neoprene foam to determine the most effective solution resulted in the identification of charcoal foam as the optimal material. Soundproofing structures were strategically placed around the computing superstructure and achieved a noticeable reduction of noise within the cabin.