Visual and Sound Perception Study

Eve Air Mobility is working towards a new concept for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) where electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs)—that will be quieter than many aircraft in the urban environment—will connect people across cities and suburbs.

eVTOLs will need to operate close to communities, introducing new types of sights and sounds. For Eve, it is essential to understand community perceptions when seeing and hearing this new mode of transportation from different locations around the city.

We believe that by informing communities about eVTOL operations and learning about perceptions of this new technology, we’ll be able to optimize the eVTOL design and flight operations.

Data about perceptions of eVTOL sights and sounds are not widely available. That is why we are partnering with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) to gather data that will support inform efforts to improve the community experience of UAM operations. NLR has deep expertise in conducting noise and perception studies.

During August, we ran a study in Orlando and New York City to analyze the perception of potential passengers and residents of these cities. The study considered two scenarios: a busier area with higher background noise and another with lower background noise, the latter closer to residential neighborhoods.

We aimed to understand people’s responses to the eVTOL visual and sound footprint by correlating sound level and characteristics with annoyance perception and acceptance. The study used cutting-edge tools to simulate the experience by employing virtual reality and auralization.

This visual and sound perception study is another key initiative of Eve´s design strategy. We are co-creating solutions with real people so that we can fulfill future users’ needs and make UAM accessible.