Subaru Won’t Accept Anything Less Than Zero

Subaru says the next-generation EyeSight safety tech will use AI.

Subaru Corporation announced that it is moving quickly to improve its EyeSight safety technology, and the next-generation system will be introduced as soon as 2027. 

Subaru says the next-gen EyeSight will use new sensors and semiconductors that harness the power of AI. This AI will play a crucial role in better capturing and processing images, thereby significantly improving vehicle safety.

"We plan to deploy an integrated electronic control unit and the next-generation EyeSight in our internally developed battery-electric vehicle," Subaru Chief Digital Car Officer Eiji Shibata said in a report from Automotive News.

The announcement from Subaru revealed it will collaborate with U.S. chipmaker On Semiconductor Corp., or Onsemi, on image sensors, a key technology needed for developing Subaru's next-gen EyeSight system.

This partnership ensures that Subaru's new safety technology will be built on reliable and cutting-edge components, providing continual improvement of its safety technology.

New Subaru EVs will incorporate the new technology.

The next-gen system is expected to debut with Subaru's newly developed EVs. The new EVs will be built independently and will not be in a collaborative effort with Toyota.

"The role of this collaboration is to achieve our own electric vehicle that is unique to Subaru," Shibata said.

Subaru will only accept zero.

As I've reported, Subaru aims to achieve zero fatal accidents by 2030. The Japanese automaker says EyeSight needs high-performance sensors and semiconductors to realize the automaker's corporate goal of reducing traffic-related fatalities to zero in 2030.

Subaru says Onsemi's new image sensor has the best dynamic range — the ratio between an image's brightest and darkest parts. That range controls exposure and is tailored to Subaru's stereo camera system. 

"Real-time control of a vehicle by using cameras requires not just a system-on-chip maker but also a sensor maker," Shibata said. "That's why we have been collaborating [with Onsemi] for a long time."

EyeSight will have improved performance.

Onsemi's latest Hyperlux image sensor boasts 8.3 megapixels, compared with the 2.3 megapixels of the image sensor used in the current generation EyeSight in the Forester, Crosstek, Outback, and other models.

The new Eyesight will use AI.

Subaru said it will enhance object recognition processing in the system, which integrates stereo camera and AI inference.

Combining the sensor with a stereo camera and AI will enable the next-generation EyeSight to better capture an image of a pedestrian at night or clearly detect a person far ahead.

Using AI can help EyeSight estimate driving routes more accurately and improve the ability to predict objects' movement, Shibata said.

"Through this partnership, we would like to evolve the next-generation EyeSight significantly," he said. "We want to keep enhancing our driver-assist features."

While the new system will be incorporated in Subaru's latest electric vehicle, slated for 2027, the next-generation Eyesight will also be used in the Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and other new models. 

Subaru won't accept anything less than zero fatal accidents by 2030 in any of its all-wheel-drive models. Stay tuned.  

How about you?

Do you have a Subaru EyeSight story? Has the safety system protected you from getting in an accident? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru USA