Subaru EyeSight driver-assist system enhanced

Subaru EyeSight is the Japanese car maker’s crash prevention system, designed to prevent low-speed collisions by using stereo cameras to measure distances and recognise objects surrounding the car, including other vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and lane lines.

Subaru says the next generation of EyeSight will introduce colour recognition capability and an increased viewing angle and distance. The colour recognition system allows Subaru’s cars to recognise brake lights and red traffic signals, which, in combination with Subaru’s adaptive cruise control system, can bring a car to a complete stop if deemed necessary.

Subaru will also introduce Active Lane Keep as standard with EyeSight. The system comprises two functions, Lane Keeping Assist, which keeps the driver in the middle of their lane, and Lane Departure Prevention Assist, which alerts drivers if their car is drifting outside lane lines by applying force to the steering wheel.

Subaru packages EyeSight with several other systems, all designed to minimise the chance of a driver being involved in a low-speed collision. These complementary systems include: Active Lane Keep, Pre-Collision Braking Control (which can automatically brake an EyeSight-equipped car at speeds up to 50km/h), Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Reverse Throttle Management (which restricts abrupt, rapid reverses) and Hazard Avoidance Assist (which steers cars away from objects with which an imminent collision is possible).

Last month Subaru’s current generation of EyeSight rated on top of an international driver-assist systems test, beating out similar systems from Mercedes and Volvo. Subarus equipped with the technology include certain Forester, Liberty and Outback models, which also attract lower insurance premiums for owners than non-equipped models.

The new EyeSight system will be released in Japan next year, with timing for Australia yet to be announced.