Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. > CSR / Environment > CSR | Feature Article

SITE SEARCH

HOME>
CSR / Environment>
Feature Article｜Approach to Traffic Safety

Traffic Safety Concept Unique to SUBARU –For Zero Traffic Accident–

Traffic Accidents in Japan and SUBARU’s Safety Concept

The number of deaths in traffic accidents in Japan has been a declining for years, but the number of accidents still remains at a high level. In FY2010, traffic accidents totaled more than 720,000. Taking a look at these incidents by type of accident, rear-end collision and frontal collisions are most numerous, accounting for about 60 percent of the total (Figure 1). Analyzing accidents by hazard perception speed (the speed when the driver of a vehicle recognized the hazard), many accidents happened at 50 speeds of km/h or lower. (Source: Statistics on Traffic Accidents Situation in FY2010" by Traffic Bureau of the National Police Agency.)

SUBARU has been involved in vehicle manufacturing out of our desire to provide people every where with assured and pleasant driving. In the process, the "pursuit of safety" is one of the most important concepts and the "SUBARU all-around safety" which underlies the idea protecting drivers from any danger from any direction is what SUBARU set out to pursue. This encompasses "active safety" which prevents an accident from happening by anticipating a possible accident, "pre-crash safety" which comes to function before colliding to alleviated accident injuries and "passive safety" which minimizes damages in case of an accident.

Traffic Accident Prevention Technology "EyeSight (Ver.2)"

The "EyeSight (Ver.2)" is a driving assist system for drivers under a variety of situations by monitoring objects ahead with the world-first stereo camera that functions the same way as human eyes.

a image on the Stereo Camera

Advance Driving Assist Function of EyeSight (Ver.2)

Collision avoidance and damage reduction function Pre-crash braking

The moment the system has judged that there is a impending danger to impact against another vehicle or a pedestrian, it warns the driver and automatically applies the brakes if no collision-avoiding action has been taken, to avoid impact or reduce damage.

Collision avoidance and damage reduction function Control to Prevent Unintended Startup of Automatic Vehicle

When an obstacle is detected in front or when the accelerator has been pressed while standing still or moving at a reduced speed, the system suppresses engine output to moderate the vehicle’s forward movement, while calling the driver’s attention with warning sounds and meter indication.

Driving Strain Reduction Function Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control

The system enables a car to follow the vehicle in front throughout the whole vehicle speed range from 0 to 100 km/h. When the vehicle in front stops, the system brings the car to a stop without any manual braking. The car also can be restarted at the flick of a switch. It significantly reduces stress in pedal operation.

*1: Pre-crash braking system in full speed range. (by internal examination)
*2: At the end of May 2010 (by internal examination)

Interview of "EyeSight" Development Engineer

What We Chased After is a Collision-free Vehicle

Technology Born out of Aspiration for Accident Prevention "Pursuit of safety" is a mission of SUBARU where we are all devoted to vehicle manufacturing with a strong commitment to providing customers with "enjoyment and peace of mind." So far, we have established technologies related to "preventative safety" such as ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and "impact safety" as exemplified by air bags which minimize damage in case of an accident. However, accident prevention and making cars collision-free are the most important steps to drastically reduce the number of traffic accidents. With this belief, we proceeded with developing the "EyeSight" by analyzing various accident reports and listening to our customers and dealers.
Pursuit of Technology to Prevent Traffic Accidents Analysis of traffic accidents often leads to focusing on accidents associated with cognitive behavior, such as accidents at speeds of 50 km/h or lower (Figure 2) and accidents caused by inadvertent application of the accelerator instead of the brake. The "EyeSight" system offers "pre-crash safety" with the world-first stereo camera which compensates for cognitive and judgment mistakes to avoid collisions and alleviate damage. SUBARU successfully realized this function ahead of others because of its accumulated research work. Functioning like the human eye, the stereo camera can identify whether a perceived road obstacle is a vehicle or man and figure out the precise distance to the point of collision. SUBARU became the first car maker to establish the technology of on-board stereo cameras after investing 10 years prior to product commercialization. We went through repeated setbacks even after the first release, but our uncompromising efforts in this technological development finally bore fruit. The "EyeSight (Ver.2)" was thus put on the market. In fact, we almost threw in the towel once, but managed to brace ourselves with strong determination as a car manufacturer that we had to get this technology finished for prevention of accidents. I now recall such challenging days. The dedication, I believe, of many engineers to this technological development and their strong sense of commitment lie behind the birth of the "EyeSight."
"EyeSight" to More Drivers Such tickling remarks as "If you are looking for a car for your family, I would recommend an "EyeSight" equipped car" are heard more often than before. Since it is important to get the function of the "EyeSight" correctly understood to get the most out of it, I would like to get the points across to more drivers through campaigns for traffic safety promotion and test drive events. Meanwhile, I would like to further ramp up "EyeSight" and other technologies to cope with accidents other than rear-end collisions: thus, developing a "car closer to being really collision-free." I also would like to get myself involved in realizing a car society where people feel richer, safer and more relaxed.	Manager, Electronic Product Design Department Mamoru Sekiguchi	Deputy General Manager, 3rd Vehicle Research & Experiment Department Eiji Shibata

Traffic Safety Promotion Activities

SUBARU is engaged in offering education to local communities and employees on traffic safety for its promotion toward a safe car society.
For details, please refer to the section on Social Report and Site Report.

Community-oriented Approach

pagetop

CSR / Environment