Toyota Uruguay wants humming electric cars to help pedestrians — and plants

Within the next two years, the US and Europe will require all new electric and hybrid vehicles to make noise at low speeds so pedestrians hear them coming. But automakers and regulators are still not settled on what that noise should sound like. Nissan thinks the car should “sing.” Others think the sounds should be customizable. Now, Ayax — an independent Toyota manufacturer and distributor in Uruguay — has an even wilder idea: make the cars emit a sound that encourages plants to absorb nutrients and grow. The idea was developed in cooperation with digital innovation firm The Electric Factory, a professional sound designer, and a “smart cities expert.” The group doesn’t go into too much detail on the website for the project, which is... Continue reading…