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Prius Growing Noisier to Warn Pedestrians

Toyota offers 'humming device' to help people hear hybrid coming

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2010 4:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Prius drivers worried about mowing down pedestrians who can't hear them coming are being offered a chance to make their cars noisier. Toyota is selling a $150 device that makes a humming noise that's about as loud as a regular car's engine, AP reports. The speaker system is designed to fit under the hybrid car's hood.

Use of the device will be voluntary. It goes on sale in Japan—where there have been many complaints about the dangers of silent cars—later this month The company is considering also offering the device in the US and other overseas markets. US government research released last year found that hybrids are twice as likely as cars with conventional engines to be involved in low-speed pedestrian accidents.

Prius hybrid vehicles are displayed at Toyota Motor Corp.'s showroom in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

The_Pinkston

Aug 24, 2010 5:02 PM CDT

They really are silent....ive been startled a few times when im out road biking and one of these passes me.

JoeQ

Aug 24, 2010 11:43 AM CDT

There goes the fun of owning a Prius.

bewilderbeast

Aug 24, 2010 7:43 AM CDT

Can you imagine what people are going to program into those speakers? The least of it will be a V8 growl or a Harley thump. There goes the neighborhood. ------------------------ Wouldn't a better solution be people-detector beams, so we can keep the blissful silence except when a pedestrian gets near. Then the speakers can blast at 200dB "OUTTA MY WAY, FOOL!"

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Prius Growing Noisier to Warn Pedestrians

Toyota offers 'humming device' to help people hear hybrid coming

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