Modern automotive audio systems increasingly rely on spatial processing, voice interaction and personalized listening experiences, placing new demands on in-cabin acoustic measurements. Traditional microphone- and array-based methods provide repeatable and standardized data, but often fail to capture the acoustic influence of a real occupant. This presentation examines how in-cabin measurement methodologies are evolving toward more realistic, human-centric approaches. Building on established practices, GRAS will discuss the role of automotive-focused head and torso simulators, such as the new GRAS AutoKEMAR Head & Torso Simulator, in bridging objective measurements and perceived audio quality while maintaining repeatability and relevance in complex vehicle cabins.

• Why modern automotive audio challenges traditional in-cabin measurements
• Strengths and limits of microphones, arrays and standardized methods
• When human body interaction becomes critical for acoustic evaluation
• How automotive-focused HATS improve realism and measurement relevance
• Where tools like AutoKEMAR HATS fit within in-cabin test strategies