About the Project

Supervisory Team: Prof Filippo Fazi

This project offers a unique opportunity to merge artificial intelligence (AI), acoustics, and active sound control. It aims to develop ground-breaking AI-based technology that predicts the sound at the ears of car occupants using signals from microphones placed elsewhere in the vehicle, ultimately enabling localized active sound control within the car interior.

The field of automotive noise control is growing rapidly, with active noise reduction inside car cabins emerging as a major research focus. Automotive active noise control systems aim to create carefully designed sound fields (anti-sound) using car-mounted loudspeakers to cancel unwanted noise. While effective at controlling engine noise due to its tonal nature, these systems face challenges with broader noise sources like road noise, as controlling sound fields over large spaces is difficult at high frequencies.

This limitation can be overcome by enabling localized active noise control around the driver’s and passengers’ ears. This can be achieved without the use of in-ear microphones. A crucial step is therefore estimating the sound pressure at the ears. The goal of this project is to develop AI-based technology that predicts sound pressure at the listener's ears using signals from microphones positioned near, but not at, the ears; for example, on seat headrests.

The project will involve training in: acoustics, artificial Intelligence (AI), theoretical algorithm development, numerical simulations, experimental validation.

This research is a collaboration between the University of Southampton’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, a world leader in acoustics and signal processing, and ASK Industries, a leading company in automotive audio.

This position is open to UK applicants and to applicants who are residents of one of the Horizon Europe countries.