• • • TEST & MEASUREMENT• • •


SOUTHCO’S ANECHOIC TESTING


CAPABILITY: CREATING A QUIET SPACE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES


BY LUKE CAI,


SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, SOUTHCO


magine stepping into a spacious EV cabin, where the outside noise fades away, and you enter a private sanctuary of calm. The space exudes sophistication and intelligence, turning travel into an immersive experience of tranquility and comfort. As the electric vehicle industry continues to evolve, a quiet and comfortable driving experience has become a key competitive factor in vehicle design. How can automakers maintain aesthetics and functionality while ensuring that interior components do not disrupt the cabin’s serene atmosphere? This question is now at the forefront of the industry.


I


Southco’s response is anechoic performance testing to help customers prevent noise issues from electronic actuation components during the design phase. This specialised test ensures products remain silent in real-world use and preserves the quiet, premium driving experience of the electric era.


Smart actuation, silent assurance: enhancing the driving experience


Consumer expectations for in-cabin comfort are rising. Electronic actuation technology (e-motion) is fast becoming a new trend in automotive interior design, making vehicles more intelligent and user-friendly. However, this also means that every detail inside the cabin can impact the overall


16 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • OCTOBER 2026


sense of tranquility, setting higher standards for ‘quiet sophistication.’ To ensure ideal acoustic performance in real-world applications, Southco has established dedicated soundproof testing facilities and leverages the ArtemiS SUITE platform for comprehensive sound and vibration analysis. Products are evaluated across different frequency ranges to uncover acoustic behaviors in detail. Southco engineers have undergone training with HEAD acoustics, ensuring every test is precise, standardised and reliable. By maintaining strict human-machine separation during testing, we minimise interference and guarantee pure results. Reports go beyond simple decibel readings and reveal how sounds originate and dissipate, helping customers identify potential noise sources, optimise structural design, accelerate product iterations and ensure every electronic actuation component operates in near silence. Our comprehensive service delivers significant benefits:


Accelerated product development and iteration:


Rapid feedback mechanisms empower engineers to optimise designs efficiently.


Reduced dependence on outsourced testing: In- house testing capabilities minimise reliance on third-party laboratories, which provide time and cost-saving benefits.


Compliance with global standards and customisation support: Our processes align with international certifications, including IATF 16949 (automotive quality management), ISO 9001 (manufacturing quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental management). High adaptability and flexibility: Tests can be adjusted for different product types and acoustic specifications, supporting diverse configurations and covering a wide range of automotive interior applications.


Commitment and focus Southco’s commitment to anechoic testing extends beyond advanced equipment and standardised processes and includes ongoing technology development and team building. Through cross-functional collaboration, we have created engineering teams with deep acoustic analysis capabilities, delivering robust technical support to customers. This integrated ‘design & testing’ approach helps brands achieve superior acoustic performance in a competitive market. Every test is an opportunity to listen to the details and safeguard quality through technology. As EVs enter a new era of quality-driven competition, acoustic refinement moves from being optional to becoming a core factor for brand value. Southco will continue to advance anechoic testing capability, delivering precise data and expert insights to help industry partners ‘listen’ to the future: creating truly premium, quiet experiences and preserving the beauty of electric mobility.


www.southco.com electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40