We asked the test participants to request a mother, sister or friend record the same messages, importantly it has to be a voice beloved by the participants.In order to investigate how the new NS announcer voice is received, we compared it to other voices: Negative message: as an example, participants hear that the upcoming train to Schiphol Airport is cancelled and they're told when the next one will be available.The message ends with: Re-plan your trip in the NS app. Mildly negative message: as an example, the message announces that there are no trains between Utrecht Central Station and Schiphol Airport over the weekend due to maintenance works.Neutral message: as an example, the message informs people that the train to Hilversum and Amersfoort Central Station will also stop at Apeldoorn.Three different messages were used in this study: With fMRI, it is possible to observe which emotions are activated, directly from the brain. To answer these question, we observed test participants in the MRI while they listened to different voices with different messages.

Which (unconscious) emotions are activated by Karin's voice?.How is Karin's voice objectively and automatically evaluated?.To investigate this, NS asked us to test Karin's voice in the MRI. Therefore, it must be a voice that's easy on the ear. In short, Karin's voice is one that NS travelers will hear most frequently. She informs travelers on train departure platforms and departure times, but also on train cancellations and possible alternatives. If you have traveled by train in the Netherlands, you would have heard her: Karin, the new voice of rail times announcement for NS (Dutch railway).

Railway announcement audio download