The German Automobile club rates highly Subaru's Eyesight Assistance system highly.

Pedestrians are particularly at risk on the road; a collision with a car often has severe, life-altering consequences for this group. Modern emergency brake systems with pedestrian recognition can prevent or reduce the severity of these accidents. ADAC, the German Automobile Club rated the Subaru EyeSight assistance system highly; and capable of providing reliable protection day and night.

The automobile club closely examined the emergency brake assistance systems of six models and brands, including four premium manufacturers. 

The Subaru Outback convinced with its camera-based EyeSight system across the board. EyeSight came out on top and was the only system tested to achieve full points in all three categories tested - Pedestrian, cyclist and night driving.

While systems from other manufacturers use various sensor technologies such as camera and radar or microwaves, EyeSight functions purely optically.  The Subaru technicians have placed two camera lenses to the left and right of the rear-view mirror that together create a stereoscopic image.

The stereo-cameras installed on the windscreen reliably captures pedestrians in dark clothing in un-lit areas, as commonly found throughout rural areas of the UK, and when needed initiates emergency braking. Up to a speed of 28mph accidents can be completely avoided and the severity significantly reduced at higher speeds.

In addition to the ADAC further independent test centres such as the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirm the excellent functioning method and reliability of this system. The only brand to achieve maximum points in the IIHS test was the Subaru Outback in the prevention of a frontal collision. The technology also has a positive effect on running costs and insurance ratings.

EyeSight is available on Subaru Outback Lineartronic models in the UK; and will be introduced to the Subaru Levorg from Spring 2017.

Land Rover debuts invisible car technology

• Land Rover reveals Transparent Bonnet virtual imaging concept
• New level of driver awareness with a ‘see-through’ augmented reality view of the terrain ahead, making the front of the car ‘virtually’ invisible from inside the cabin
• Technology provides full visibility of what is underneath and in front of the car, with total clarity of otherwise hidden obstacles
• Transparent Bonnet is part of a suite of new concept technologies to be showcased in Land Rover’s Discovery Vision Concept car at the New York International Motor Show

Pioneering technology is being developed to give Land Rover drivers a digital vision of the terrain ahead by making the front of the car ‘virtually’ invisible.

Cameras located in the vehicle’s grille capture data used to feed a Head-Up Display, effectively creating a ‘see-through’ view of the terrain through the bonnet and engine bay, breaking new ground in visual driver assistance. The technology, named Transparent Bonnet by its creators, shows how advanced technology will take Land Rover’s unrivalled capability to the next level.

The technology enables a driver climbing a steep incline or manoeuvring in a confined space to see an augmented reality view capturing not only the terrain in front of the car but also the angle and position of the front wheels.  

Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology for Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We believe the next 25 years will be the most exciting and dynamic the automotive industry has ever experienced. There will be huge strides in environmental innovation, in safety and capability.

“As our vehicles become more capable and autonomous off-road, we will ensure the driver has the confidence to allow the car to continue to progress, over any terrain. We are developing new technologies including the Transparent Bonnet to give drivers anaugmented view of reality to help them tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park.”

Opening the doors to Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced research, the Discovery Vision Concept car is a design and technology showcase which will be unveiled in full at the New York International Auto Show on 16^th April 2014. The concept demonstrates Land Rover’s design vision for a future family of premium SUVs built on Land Rover’s key principles of emotive design, unrivalled capability and ultimate versatility. From the city to the sand dunes, Land Rover’s new, driver-assisting technology will enable safer, smarter and more enjoyable driving in the SUVs of tomorrow.

Follow the excitement on Land Rover’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and join the conversation using #ReadyToDiscover.