Exemplary efficiency and performance: The revolutionary GreenEdge® audio and infotainment systems from HARMAN Automotive Division. Exemplary efficiency and performance: The revolutionary GreenEdge® audio and infotainment systems from HARMAN International Automotive Division. HARMAN is using the Rinspeed iChange “zero emissions” concept car to present its production-ready, energy-efficient GreenEdge® audio and infotainment solutions to the public. The next generation systems are the first to unite a wide range of in-car innovative features and excellent performance with low energy requirements. In other words, the systems are more powerful, more compact, more light-weight and more energy-efficient than conventional systems. Naturally, these aspects are a top priority among car manufacturers: each power consumer in the car can make a contribution to reduced fuel consumption and thus emissions. The topic of energy efficiency will gain in importance with the future hybrid and electric cars, since current consumption has a direct effect on the range. For this reason, in recent years, the experts at HARMAN Automotive Division have concentrated on energy-saving technology and are a major step ahead of the competition. The new generation does not just represent an abstract vision of the future, but rather involves production-ready, fully-functional systems.

GreenEdge® infotainment solutions
At the heart of the Rinspeed study lies the pioneering GreenEdge® infotainment system, which features dramatically improved computing power and extremely low current requirement. The result: energy savings of up to 25 percent. And without any loss of functionality or performance. In its new energy-efficient entertainment system, HARMAN Automotive Division generally places the emphasis on high-efficiency designs that guarantee lower weight and space requirements. Software applications also replace conventional hardware components, so that the overall number of components is reduced, weight is minimized and space is saved, which has a positive impact on the overall energy balance of the car. The infotainment platform is the first to integrate the new Intel Atom processor in a complex automotive environment Z520PT with 1.3 Gigahertz timing. With a rating of around 2.2 Watts, the processor requires only 25 percent of the power of conventional models. The new HARMAN infotainment system solutions do not just enable drivers to play their part in reducing power consumption, but also have a whole range of new innovative functions, as well as offering greater flexibility and state-of-the-art features. Faster Internet access, extensive e-mail functions and the latest audio and video formats can be used as easily in the car of the future as common office applications (address book, appointments calendar, tasks, etc.), the latest software updates or extended infotainment functions. The attractive 3D navigation feature has a high screen resolution and includes three-dimensional points of interest and landscape models. In addition to the conventional map view, satellite images can also be displayed. A specific option is provided by a routing algorithm specially tailored to the car for minimum fuel consumption in reaching one’s destination. In the case of gasoline-fueled or hybrid cars, it calculates the route that will use the least fuel and produce the lowest CO2 emissions, while for electric cars it will calculate the most energy-efficient route.

GreenEdge® audio system solutions
The revolutionary GreenEdge® technology meets the highest demands in terms of excellent sound, while  at the same time featuring a much-reduced lightweight design and requiring minimum energy. This introduces a whole new dimension in terms of efficiency in current requirement. In addition, the acoustic transparency and dynamic response  have also been significantly improved in comparison with conventional systems. In the iChange, a total of twelve HARMAN Kardon HiETM high-performance speakers are operated by a highly-efficient 8-channel amplifier. The Class-D amplifier with HARMAN output end stages already achieves an efficiency of over 90 percent compared with 35 to 50 percent in conventional models. In addition, HARMAN also works closely together with Lotus Engineering in relation to internal and external sound synthesis and integrates the patent HALOsonic technology in the Rinspeed iChange concept car. The pioneering HALOsonic technology provides greater safety and increases acoustic comfort in the car: Splash -proof external loudspeakers mean that pedestrians and cyclists, who might not notice the almost silent electric car, can now be made aware that a car is approaching by means of synthetic sounds. In the vehicle interior, the driving experience is enhanced by the synthetic audio environment. This is generated by a sound computer in conjunction with the HARMAN Kardon® GreenEdge® audio system depending on the speed and driving situation. The audio environment can be adapted to the relevant situation and mood as required. Alternatively, if the sound environment is switched off completely, the driver can enjoy an almost silent driving experience.