Münder, MaraMaraMünder0000-0002-1858-31152025-12-112025-12-112025https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/111545Kumulative Dissertation, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, 2025In this dissertation, I take a psychological turn on vehicle acoustics by investigating how humans perceive acoustic characteristics in electrified vehicles (EVs). The interior soundscape of an EV is composed of a multitude of acoustic characteristics that shape the customer’s overall vehicle experience. Among these acoustic characteristics, my dissertation focuses explicitly on automotive powertrain-related acoustics, such as e-powertrain noise and active sound design. The transition from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to EVs introduces novel acoustic profiles that fundamentally reshape the acoustic landscape of modern mobility. This shift not only challenges existing engineering conventions and design paradigms but also our understanding of psychological factors, particularly the expectations, preferences, and perceptual processes of vehicle users. With an emphasis on the cognitive and affective mechanisms that shape human perception, my research explores how individuals experience the interior soundscapes of EVs. A human-centered approach to assessing customer perception of automotive acoustics is inevitable for a holistic product development. Throughout this thesis, I employ a variety of methodological approaches established in perceptual and cognitive science, including state-of-the-art methods such as laboratory listening tests and studies in highly sophisticated acoustic simulator environments. By also introducing novel evaluative techniques that are applied for the first time in automotive acoustics, my work contributes to advancing methodological standards in the field. Key perceptual dimensions addressed in this work include perceived quality, the annoyance and perceptibility of e-powertrain noise, dimensions of preference and innovativeness, and various semantic dimensions conveyed by active sound design concepts in EVs. The findings provide insights into perceptual long-term adaptation effects and individual expectations and preferences regarding the perception of EV acoustics. By integrating conceptual, methodological, and applied perspectives, this thesis encourages future research and the applied field to adopt interdisciplinary approaches in the development of vehicle acoustics. With the enhanced understanding of how humans perceive EV soundscapes, a customer-oriented and holistic product development is achieved. Future research should build upon the proposed approaches and explore multisensory integration to advance the holistic approach beyond the acoustic modality. This work highlights the crucial role of integrating psychological insights into engineering practice: not only does it facilitate a deeper understanding of customer expectations, but its implications also guide and advance acoustic vehicle development towards satisfying, emotionally engaging, and semantically meaningful soundscapes in next-generation vehicles.engPerceptionAcousticsElectrified VehiclesSound DesignSound QualityPerceived QualityNVHApplied AcousticsAutomotive150doctoralthesisurn:nbn:de:bvb:473-irb-111545x