Expert opinion. In its 200-year history, Trèves has livedthrough all the major technological breakthroughs in theautomotive industry and carried out countless innovationprojects for dozens of manufacturers and equipmentsuppliers around the world. Originally founded by a familyspecialising in the manufacture of fabrics, the group hasnow refocused on noise reduction and sound diffusiontechnologies for vehicles. An international success story,the group now has almost 29 sites across the globe, and isforecasting sales of 750 million euros in 2023

Showcasing innovation

When it comes to choosing an emblematic project carried out with his partners at Technicon Design, Mark Cooper doesn’t hesitate for long and is enthusiastic about one of the most recent. It was the design of a video broadcast last year to major players in the automotive sector to promote the new Sonified in-house concept. “More than a technology, this system offers a completely new experience of audio immersion in a vehicle. Unlike traditional loudspeakers, the sound is diffused directly through elements of the passenger compartment such as headrests, seats or the floor. This improves vehicle comfort, soundproofing, and interior aesthetics.” So much for the technology. There remains a crucial problem: how do you demonstrate the potential of such a novelty when its central element, sound, is by definition, impossible to represent on a model or sketch?

This is where Technicon Design’s expertise comes into play. The designers from the SEGULA Technologies subsidiary came up with the idea of symbolising sound diffusion in a promotional video by means of graphic waves propagating through the passenger compartment. With vibrations emanating from the heads and seats, the two-minute video provides a visual demonstration of the system’s effectiveness. It also shows its aesthetic benefits, with before-and-after sequences illustrating the elimination of traditional loudspeakers now found in the doors or dashboard.

“This highly visual and educational video has earned us some very good feedback from our first prospective customers. Thanks to it, they immediately understood the benefits of our innovation. It’s very simple: we now use it in all our sales presentations.”

Two partners in unison

Sonified technology, which has already been adopted byseveral major carmakers, should find its way into the designof new production vehicles. It will provide a rhythm to the journeys of drivers and passengers in the first cars fitted withthis technology. Although it is currently aimed more at the top-of-the-range segment, over the years Sonified should also be deployed in mass-produced cars. “From the veryfirst stages of this project, we were certain of the strengthof our concept. Technicon design enabled us to convey thisconviction to our contacts. This video project is a perfectillustration of our teams” ability to work intelligently together. True partners, no doubt about it.