Autobahn
by Nikita Diakur
Studiokamp
Autobahn is a highway of simulated vehicles operating autonomously. With no predetermined choreography or scripted events, the work generates its own behavior through programmed rules – driving personalities, agent interactions, physics – suspending narrative in favor of emergent dynamics: a space shaped by automated decisions and reciprocal interferences.
World Premiere
Gallery Solo Contemporary Madrid
Studiokamp
Interactive/realtime engine and car sound effects, multichannel site specific audio mix.
Process
To cover the full range of 200+ unique 3D vehicle models found on a German Autobahn, I built 57 virtual audio engines. Each engine responds in realtime to parameters from the vehicle controller simulation, recreating the sounds the engine reacting to load, RPM, braking and gear changes. All 57 engine models are based on real multimic recordings of the vehicles listed below. Each vehicle also has suspension and road surface sounds matched to its category, plus a unique horn. These sounds are physics-driven as well: The wind sound of a moving car and the road surface tire sounds react to vehicle speed, a slipping wheel triggers a squeak etc.
Vehicle sound simulations: