Subaru helping to save lives with EyeSight technology
Subaru is hoping to save lives with new technology in its cars that automatically contacts paramedics after a collision.
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Exclusive: Hit and run fatals are hoped to be reduced by new cars that automatically call an ambulance following a crash.
Subaru says its next-generation “EyeSight” driver assistance suite, due in models such as the Impreza and Forester in 2025, will automatically contact paramedics following collisions between cars and pedestrians.
Subaru, who sell 40,000 cars nationally, hope to extend this technology to all their fleet.
Masahiko Inoue, general manager of sales and marketing for Subaru, said cars could save lives in the “golden hour” following a crash by transmitting precise data such as the location and nature of an incident.
“In order to reduce fatal car accidents, we need to be able to notify of such an emergency situation as soon as possible,” he said.
“We have already adapted an emergency call feature in certain regions where the vehicle can automatically notify the location of an accident.
“We will look to connect this feature with other features such as airbags … to increase life preservation rates.”
Colin Christie, managing director for Subaru Australia, said the brand is “exploring it now for this market”.
“New technologies to allow them to make immediate contact with emergency services … both for pedestrians and passengers in the car,” Mr Christie said.
Many new cars already feature pedestrian detection systems capable of automatically applying brakes to avoid a smash.
Subaru and other brands plan to combine pedestrian protection features with automatic collision notification technology present in some luxury cars.
Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Ryan Lewis said many of its models are already capable of calling for help following a crash.
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When a new Mercedes is involved in a crash, the vehicle sends an alert to an assistance centre which calls the car to see if occupants need assistance.
If they are unresponsive, the service then contacts triple-0 to pass on vital details including the car’s location, how many people were on board, and whether any airbags deployed.
Some 159 pedestrians were killed on Australian roads in 2019. In NSW, 14 have died in the past two months.
NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister, David Elliott, said “every death on NSW roads is one too many”.
“Safety on the roads for all drivers and pedestrians is a key priority for the NSW Government and I welcome any new technology ideas that may save lives,” he said.
“An equal priority is the safety of Police and other Emergency Services workers responding to incidents. Every death on NSW roads is one too many.”
NSW Ambulance said it “supports anything that has the potential to be life saving for the community of NSW”.
James Goodwin, chief executive of the ANCAP crash testing body, said it is “encouraging to see vehicles using technology that not only avoids a crash but also helps with the post-crash response to ensure that emergency services are where they need to be, more accurately, and hopefully faster”.
Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said the proposed technology is “fantastic”.
“We should be patting Subaru on the back,” he said.
David Levinson, president of the WalkSydney pedestrian awareness group, welcomed the emergency call technology as “an improvement on today”.
Both pedestrian advocates said more needs to be done to protect vulnerable road users.
Originally published as Subaru helping to save lives with EyeSight technology