Subaru Plans For Autonomous Driving With EyeSight Upgrade

Subaru's EyeSight collision avoidance system has been given a major upgrade this week, some of them laying foundations for future self-driving models. 

Already the top-ranking system in the inaugural round of pre-collision safety tests undertaken by America's Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Subaru says its EyeSight system is now even more advanced.

The upgrade brings improvements to the system's stereo camera technology, boosting colour recognition and allowing EyeSight to see vehicle braking and fixed traffic lights. 

Linked to the Adaptive Cruise Control, the system can respond to activated brake lights or a red traffic light by applying the Subaru vehicle's brakes if the driver does not react in time. 

EyeSight also has the ability to detect lane markings and street sights, other vehicles - including motorcycles and bicycles - and pedestrians.

Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Prevention Assist are now featured, adjusting steering to keep the vehicle in its lane. 

The upgrade has also brought a 40 percent increase in the system's viewing angles and visibility distance. 

Subaru says that a number of these features will be integral in developing autonomous driving technology, which it is currently experimenting with for future testing and production models. 

The updated EyeSight system will be rolled out across new models over the coming year.