We've had noise-cancelling headphones for a while now and the principle is simple - external noise is cancelled by an equal and opposite sound wave from the speakers.
That’s all well and good in the enclosed space of a pair of cans but what about applying the same technology to a car?
Trust Toyota to be the first to try with its new Crown Hybrid. The Active Noise Control system uses three microphones to detect engine noise and uses the front door-mounted speakers and parcel shelf subwoofer for cancellation.
The system doesn’t affect the car’s sound system or passenger’s conversations although there are reports that a WGC (Whingeing Girlfriend Cancellation) setting is under development.