Subaru will premiere its EyeSight safety system at the Australian International Motor Show from today.
The system uses minute stereo cameras located in a single compact unit near the rear-view mirror, to recognise a variety of potential road hazards and alert the driver.
The driver assistance technology combines active, passive and preventative safety technologies, key of which are pre-crash braking, brake assist, progressive start control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, vehicle sway warning and a progressive motion monitor.
As the first market outside to receive the technology, Australian-spec range-topping 2012 Liberty and Outback models will be the first vehicles outside of Japan to come equipped with the new safety technology.
EyeSight has been extensively tested locally for the last 12 months by engineers from both Subaru Australia and Fuji Heavy Industries (Japan), the maker of Subaru vehicles. The system designed to actively assist drivers in avoiding frontal collisions, lane drifting and low speed impacts.
It can lock on to vehicles directly in front and, when used together with adaptive cruise control, can slow, stop and accelerate to maintain a safe distance.
EyeSight can also recognise pedestrians, motorcycles and cyclists within its field of vision.
Depending on conditions, the system can use pre-crash braking helping to minimise any impact and damage. If the speed is less than 30 km/h, the car may be brought to a complete stop prior to impact.
"We're delighted to have so many examples of great Subaru design and technology on display in Melbourne," said Subaru Australia's managing director, Nick Senior.
"Some aspects of this technology are currently only available in cars costing around four times what we anticipate.
"It's again going to highlight Subaru's long-term safety commitment, which includes a five star rating for occupant safety for every car in our range from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)."
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