EyeSight system helps prevent auto collisions

Automaker Subaru (Cherry Hill, NJ) has developed a driver assistance system called EyeSight that will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show on 2013 Legacy and Outback models.

The so-called EyeSight system integrates adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and vehicle lane departure warning. The new technology, which can also detect obstacles in front of a parked car and limit potential damage in an impact, will become available later this year.

The system uses two CCD cameras mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield, thus reducing the potential for damage that could occur in bumper-mounted systems, such as radar. An on-board computer processes the stereo images from the CCD pair to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items.

The computer is also interfaced to the car's braking system and electronic throttle control. Below speeds of approximately 19mph, it is capable of detecting pedestrians in the vehicle's path and can activate to mitigate or even avoid the collision. Under certain circumstances, the system is able to bring the car to a complete stop, thus avoiding a collision.

-- by Dave Wilson, Senior Editor, Vision Systems Design