Continental and Auro Technologies bring immersive 3D sound to in-car entertainment systems

Automotive components supplier Continental and Auro Technologies have come together to jointly bring true 3D sound to in-car infotainment systems.

First integrated into digital cinemas as Auro 11.1. by Barco, the Auro-3D format is the next generation in audio, adding a height layer around the audience, the final and missing dimension to traditional 5.1 surround sound, to fully immerse the listener in a cocoon of life-like sound, transforming the vehicle into a jazz club or concert hall.

Combining Continental’s expertise in automotive infotainment with Auro Technologies’ Auro-3D format will enable vehicle manufacturers worldwide to offer a revolutionary sound experience for their customers. In addition the Auro-3D format is fully scalable, so Continental says it is able to configure it exactly to the customers’ needs – sources can range from mono to native 3D audio, and speaker layouts can range from simple setups up to Auro 22.1 speaker arrays.

"It's no secret that it's not just accelerating and cornering that contribute to a more intensive driving experience, it is also the quality of the entertainment. With the immersive Auro-3D audio format, our many years of experience in developing radios and multimedia systems, and our expertise as a systems integrator, we are helping vehicle manufacturers to give their customers an entirely new sound and driving experience," says Johann Hiebl, head of the Continental Infotainment & Connectivity business unit.

“Thanks to our collaboration with Continental, drivers will soon be able to enjoy their entire music archive in brilliant 3D sound, creating a much higher emotional experience. The Auro-3D technology offers a natural three-dimensional spread of sound, making it easy for the brain to analyze sound and bring a totally new and more relaxing automotive experience to all drivers. The closer to natural sound, the more immersive the experience”, stated Wilfried Van Baelen, Auro Technologies’ CEO.

The Auro-3D technology provides probably the most immersive and first class-quality listening experience, far superseding CD quality, in all channels. The technology is fully scalable via the innovative Auro-Matic algorithm which allows all legacy content (Mono, Stereo, Surround) to be upmixed to create an immersive three-dimensional sound experience whatever the source. Furthermore, lots of exciting content is coming up in the Auro-3D format in both film and music over the coming months, including 15 new features by Dreamworks Animation that will be mixed in an Auro 11.1 format.

Continental acts as the system integrator, as licensee and as the licenser, who licenses the Auro-3D technology to automotive suppliers and automotive manufacturers worldwide.