At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, ZF will pull the covers off a deceptively simple idea with potentially far-reaching consequences for vehicle refinement: reducing tire noise inside the cabin using software rather than additional hardware.
Instead of relying on extra damping materials or microphone-based active noise cancellation systems—solutions typically reserved for premium vehicles—ZF’s new approach works directly through the chassis. At its core is a Smart Chassis sensor equipped with an integrated accelerometer that measures vibrations as they travel from the tire, through the suspension, and into the vehicle structure.
Once those vibrations are detected, the system responds in real time. Semi-active damper valves generate precisely controlled counter-signals, creating microscopic movements within the shock absorber. These movements are designed to cancel out noise before it reaches the cabin, all without compromising the damper’s primary role in ride comfort and handling.
The key lies in the software. ZF’s algorithm is trained to recognize characteristic vibration patterns associated with tire cavity noise, typically occurring at around 200 Hz. By targeting this specific frequency range, the system can effectively suppress one of the most persistent and difficult-to-isolate sources of road noise in modern vehicles.
In its current development stage, the technology achieves a noise reduction of more than 3 dB—a noticeable improvement in perceived cabin quietness. ZF says future iterations could push that figure as high as 10 dB, a level that would significantly alter the acoustic character of a vehicle, particularly in electric cars where tire noise is more prominent due to the absence of engine sound.
Mass production is planned for 2028, and ZF hints that this is only the beginning. The same principle could be adapted for other applications, including active brake noise reduction, further expanding the role of software-defined chassis systems.
CES 2026, taking place from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, will serve as the first public stage for this innovation—one that suggests the next leap in automotive refinement may come not from more insulation, but from smarter suspension code.
Source: ZF