A familiar name here on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk is that of Ricardo. Ricardo, among other things is known product innovations within the automotive sector including the development of unique and advanced hybrid and electric car systems.
Yet this is not where the firm’s success within the industry ends, for Ricardo has also just been honoured with a ‘Noise Oscar’ for its development of its ‘WAVE’ software used to refine the performance of a car’s engine.
The highly innovative WAVE software product allows vehicle engineers to optimise exhaust and intake system geometry in such a manner as to maximise engine efficiency – including performance, emissions, fuel consumption and CO2 – while minimising radiated noise and improving auditory quality. The increasing use of WAVE by the automotive industry and related sectors including marine, power generation, construction and rail, has enabled significant improvements in engine performance to be made, both in terms of emissions and noise production.
Commended in the technology category, Ricardo attended the award ceremony held yesterday by the UK Noise Abatement Society. The awards, formally known as the John Connell Awards after the society’s founder recognise those to have been outstanding in their efforts to reduce the impact of noise nuisance and who have sought to pioneer practical and innovative solutions to noise pollution.
Commenting on the award, Ricardo UK Ltd engineering director Jason March said: “Ricardo shares the vision of the Noise Abatement Society in striving to reduce noise pollution and hence improve public health, productivity and quality of life. Over many years of on-going research and development our software engineers have striven to create CAE tools to enable both the improvement of sound quality and the minimisation of unwanted radiated noise from new products. We are particularly proud that our WAVE product has been recognised with a commendation by the Noise Abatement Society.”
The noise produced by road traffic is a serious threat to human health. Not only is it unpleasant, road noise is link to an increase risk of heart attacks.
