Synthesizers used to add sound to too-quiet electric cars.

Roland has teamed with GLM, the manufacturer of Japan’s first mass-marketed electric sports car, to develop a “neo-futuristic driving sound generation system.” Some manufacturers are adding electronically-generated sound effects to their super-quiet electric cars, for safety and aesthetic reasons.

The sound system will use Roland’s SuperNATURAL synthesizer technology, generating sounds that change depending on acceleration, deceleration and mechanical variances. The system uses virtual acoustic musical instruments to create “futuristic” sounds that respond to not just the conditions but also the driver and play through the sound system.

The driving sound system option will be available on GLM’s ZZ model this fall. [via Synthopia]