Record for measurement systems: Autoneum sells 100^th Alpha Cabin

Demands on future mobility from automobile manufacturers, regulatory authorities and consumers are increasing. Accordingly, technologies are required that make cars lighter, quieter and more efficient. For more than 50 years, Autoneum has been setting standards in the field of vehicle acoustics with its measurement systems, used both by manufacturers and competitors. The sale of the 100^th Alpha Cabin also reflects Autoneum’s innovation leadership in the development of noise-reducing lightweight components.

Electrification, autonomous driving and connectivity pose new challenges to automotive manufacturers. Alternative powertrains and a higher use of the passenger cabin have increased the need for appropriate acoustic management to deal with noise sources that were previously drowned out by the engine, such as fans or pumps as well as new, battery-related noise emissions. As the market and innovation leader, Autoneum supports automobile manufacturers worldwide with its expertise already during the development of new models. Of vital importance are the highly specialized measurement systems for optimal vehicle acoustics developed by the Company, which are used by manufacturers, suppliers and research institutes alike.

Because of the sharp rise in customer demand for innovative acoustic measurement systems – two thirds of all orders in 2017 came from Asia – Autoneum was able to further expand its market leadership in this field and recently handed over the 100^th Alpha Cabin measurement system to a Japanese automotive supplier. As part of this anniversary, the Company recorded another all-time high: Never before have so many Alpha Cabin systems been sold in one year.

The Alpha Cabin, which is developed exclusively in the research center in Winterthur, Switzerland, is the globally leading system for the measurement of the acoustic absorption properties of materials and components that contribute to sound insulation in vehicles. Due to the efficient measurement methodology and a user-friendly software, the Alpha Cabin is particularly suitable for validation and quality assurance of the measured data – with up to 50 percent time savings in the measurement process. Furthermore, the measurement cabin is significantly smaller than usual reverberation chambers and therefore also ideal for use with limited space capacity.

Autoneum measurement systems are the global industry standard today. By means of the procedures designed by the Company, it is possible to predict the NVH performance (noise, vibration, harshness) of materials and components already in the pre-development stage of a vehicle and to develop noise-reducing products. Thus, the Company makes a sustainable contribution to the enhancement of driving comfort not only with its products for noise and heat protection, but also with its measurement systems.