Renault Unveils New Mégane E-TECH Electric with Sound by Harman Kardon

Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, announced that the new Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric, scheduled to be launched in 2022, will feature an advanced Harman Kardon sound system. This is a first step in the partnership between Harman International's brand Harman Kardon, and the world-renowned French automobile manufacturer. The new model uses 3rd Generation Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms from Qualcomm Technologies and is completely Google and Android-based.

For the audioXpress 2021 Automotive Audio Solutions update, Roger Shively (JJR Acoustics and Co-Chair of the AES Automotive Audio Technical Committee) wrote an expanded overview of the many ways in which the audio industry is increasingly interacting with car manufacturers, particularly in the transition to fully-electric powered vehicles. This article was originally published in audioXpress, June 2021.

audioXpress June 2021 offers the most complete overview of the fascinating world of automotive audio. This series of articles discusses all the key technologies, platforms, and innovations that should be on every developer's radar, with perspectives from Meridian Audio, Roger Shively (JJR Acoustics), and Krunal Maniar. This edition also includes a detailed review of the KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker and many more great audio electronics and practical projects.

Polestar 2, the new all electric car model from the exclusive brand owned by Volvo Car Group and Geely, is also betting strongly on distinct interiors and a focus on the whole audio experience. The Polestar 2 features a premium Harman Kardon audio system developed by Harman uniquely for the car, and allows over-the-air (OTA) updates to introduce new and improved audio features and functions over time. And being a Swedish brand, Polestar 2 also features Spotify Group Sessions Beta directly in its built-in Spotify app.

The patent in review was granted in February 2015 to inventor Zhijun Zhao (West Bloomfield, MI) on behalf of Harman International Industries. As James Croft notes, planar magnetic transducers are often preferred for their thin form factor, ideal for shallow mounting spaces where a standard transducer may not fit, such as in-wall systems and automotive applications. The patent in review offers a practical solution for an oval or circular format planar magnetic transducer for such applications. This article was original published in Voice Coil, April 2015.