Subaru Launches Next-Gen ADAS

Subaru is launching an upgraded version of its EyeSight advanced driving-assist system (ADAS).

The technology, which exclusively uses stereo cameras rather than a combination of radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors to detect nearby objects, has added more safety and convenience capabilities. This includes driving aids and driver monitoring systems.

Initial applications will be limited to the Japanese market, starting with this week’s launch of the 2021 Levorg wagon.

Greater Assistance

The carmaker has continuously updated EyeSight since introducing the technology nearly a decade ago. The current version in the U.S. includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and throttle management, and lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.

The updated system in Japan adds adaptive throttle control based on GPS data for the upcoming road, with semi-automated driving—including active lane-change assist—under certain highway conditions.

Subaru says it also has improved EyeSight’s capabilities to identify and avoid obstacles at intersections and other urban environments. This includes more quickly and accurately detecting pedestrians during turning maneuvers.

In addition, EyeSight's driver-monitoring system has been enhanced to better detect distraction and possible medical-related problems. The new system also can alert drivers about potential unintentional acceleration events.

Smarter Processing

The next-generation EyeSight benefits from improvements to the cameras themselves as well as the corresponding image processing technology. The latter is provided by Silicon Valley-based Xilinx's Zynq UltraScale+ multiprocessor system-on-chip (SoC).

“The image processing technology adopted in our new generation system scans everything captured by stereo cameras and creates high-precision 3D point clouds, enabling us to offer advanced features such as pre-collision braking at an intersection and assisting with hands-off driving in traffic congestion on a highway,” explains Tetsuo Fujinuki, Subaru’s chief technology officer.

The "ultra-low latency” 16-nanometer SoC technology enables vehicles to better depict and react to dynamic driving situations, Subaru says.

Xilinx has shipped more than 190 million automotive processors, including 75 million used for production ADAS deployments. The company works with some 200 carmakers and suppliers.

What’s Next?

Following this year’s launch in Japan, the updated Subaru system is expected to be adapted for use in the U.S. and other global markets in the coming years.

Features and functions will vary by market based on local regulations and driving environments, the company notes.

The carmaker previously has said vehicles equipped with Eyesight have about 60% fewer accidents resulting in injury or death per 10,000 vehicles compared to those without it.