Subaru & IBM Teaming Up for EyeSight® Upgrades

by Herb Gordon Subaru

"Jeopardy!"-winning supercomputer Watson assisting in evolution of Subaru's collision avoidance technology

To take its advanced EyeSight® driver assistance system to the next level, Subaru is getting some help from a "super" source: IBM's Watson supercomputer. Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries is partnering with IBM Japan and the IBM Watson Internet of Things (IOT) for Automotive to help make Subaru vehicles and the roads they occupy safer for us all.

You may remember Watson from its 2011 Jeopardy! victory against champions Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings. These days, the former trivia titan is assisting in a number of cognitive learning research areas, including machine learning and video and image analytics. Both of these fields have particular applications for the automotive world, and we're excited to see how these concepts are incorporated in future Subaru technologies.

The Subaru EyeSight® system (available on the 2016 Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX, and Crosstrek) utilizes a stereo camera setup for advanced collision avoidance technologies, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. When equipped with Subaru EyeSight®, Subaru models earn the highest possible score in front crash prevention by the IIHS. EyeSight®-equipped models also get in 50% fewer accidents according to the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA) in Japan.

The first steps toward a new and improved EyeSight® system have already begun as Fuji and IBM are developing a data analytics pipeline to process test images from Fuji's driver assistance systems. Watson is assisting the process by allowing Subaru engineers to manipulate more data more quickly.

The companies' final goal is simple: "zero car accidents." At Herb Gordon Subaru, we're proud to support that goal by offering the latest Subaru models equipped with EyeSight® and other advanced safety technologies. Contact us to learn more about making our roads a safer place.

Image: Subaru of America, Inc.