MuteMotion

Inspiration

Emergency medical responders face a constant dilemma: the same sirens that warn surrounding traffic also create stressful noise inside the ambulance. Research indicates that 15% of urban EMS personnel have resorted to silencing sirens during critical care to reduce adverse physiological responses. This compelling statistic led us to develop MuteMotion—a solution that preserves essential warning signals outside the ambulance without adding undue strain inside the cabin.

What It Does

MuteMotion employs a parametric speaker, i.e., a speaker that emits highly focused sound beams by enveloping sound waves in ultrasonic waves, mounted on top of the ambulance to warn bystanders.

Instead of broadcasting sirens in all directions, using a parametric speaker focuses the warning signal outward toward traffic, ensuring other drivers can still hear the urgent alert. Inside the ambulance, however, noise is eliminated. In scenarios where EMS personnel previously muted sirens entirely, MuteMotion helps maintain an effective alert while offering welcome relief from overwhelming noise.

How We Built It

We intend on building our own DIY parametric ultrasonic emitters and mounting them on a 3-axis robotic platform paired with a computer vision system.

A custom control module processes and shapes the audio signal before selecting a target and emitting it. We then integrated this technology into the ambulance’s existing alert system for seamless activation whenever responders need it.

Challenges We Might Face

Directional Clarity: Striking the right balance of frequency tuning and wave shaping to project sound effectively over distance without excessive diffusion.
Weather & Vibration: Ambulances operate under harsh conditions, so the system must be robust against rain, extreme temperatures, and constant motion.
Compatibility: Integration with standard EMS equipment and power sources requires careful electrical, mechanical, and ergonomic design.

What’s Next for MuteMotion

Our immediate goal is to progress from concept to a fully functional prototype that can be installed on ambulances in real-world conditions. We plan to collaborate with a local emergency service for live trials and hands-on feedback from first responders.

Over time, we aim to refine MuteMotion’s design for widespread adoption, improving both patient and provider experiences in emergency medical transport.