It's plastic, but it hears very well, even better than its predecessors and probably many humans. The University of Algarve (UAlg), through its Faculty of Science and Technology, continues to invest in research into Environmental Acoustics, in a project led by researcher Eusébio Conceição, and created a second generation of mannequins with integrated systems that simulate the human ear.
«Marisa», the name of the second-generation acoustic measurement dummy now developed, presents «a greater capacity and quality in the evaluation of acoustic studies» than its predecessors, thus allowing to analyze more efficiently «indoor environments (such as rooms for example) of concerts, meeting rooms and classrooms) and outdoor environments (such as performance spaces or noisy spaces)», revealed the University of Algarve in a statement.
«The first generation of mannequins had been developed within the scope of subjects in the area of Environmental Acoustics, taught in the Integrated Masters in Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FCT) of the University of Algarve. Among other activities, they have already been used in the study and improvement of word intelligibility in classrooms (in some establishments in the Algarve region), and in the propagation of sound produced by man and musical instruments», added the Algarve university.
These first models were improved and resulted in the “Marisa” mannequin, with a “more robust and efficient” construction. "Among other benefits, this new generation, with an assessment capacity closer to the human body, has a greater stereo capability in the assessment, data acquisition/transfer, portability and human ergonomics", he explained.
The development of «Marisa» was carried out as part of a project financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology of the Ministry of Science and Technology. “It consists of three independent sections, namely the head and bust, which simulate the human presence, and the support base, where all the amplification and data acquisition equipment is stored. The head integrates two ears, equipped with high-sensitivity microphones, installed in the different internal pavilions of them», described UAlg.
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