Nissan, Subaru Use LiDAR-Based Tech to Improve Safety

Nissan announced it held another demonstration of its in-development LIDAR-based advanced driver-assistance technology, which now features intersection collision avoidance. Meanwhile, Subaru’s Eyesight safety system suite has been found to prevent bicycle collisions.

Nissan’s Safety Showcase

An event held at a Nissan facility showcased the technology’s ability to perform certain automatic collision-avoidance maneuvers in a complex environment of intersections.

“Development of this technology is being carried out under Nissan Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term vision,” said Takao Asami, head of Nissan’s Research and Advanced Engineering division. “We are on course to develop collision-avoidance technology utilizing next-generation LIDAR technology by the mid-2020s. Aiming to develop future autonomous driving technologies that customers can use with peace of mind, Nissan is working to fully understand the entire range of accident scenarios by analyzing complex accidents that occur in the real world. Our efforts are aimed to substantially improve accident avoidance.”

How This Technology Works for Nissan

The technology features a new control logic for intersection collision avoidance based on ground-truth perception technology utilizing next-generation LIDAR. 

It can detect an object’s speed, location, and potential risk of a collision from a lateral direction. The system is designed to instantly respond to the changing situation through such steps as emergency application of the brakes or releasing the brakes when the potential risk has been avoided.

Automakers across the U.S. have been implementing LiDAR.

General Motors’ Ultra Cruise uses cameras, short- and long-range radars, LiDAR behind the windshield, an all-new computing system, and a driver attention system to monitor the driver’s head position and/or eyes in relation to the road to help ensure driver attention. 

Mercedes‑Benz’s Drive Pilot system builds on the surround sensors of the Driver Assistance Package and comprises additional sensors such as  LiDAR.

IIHS Finds Subaru’s Safety System to Prevent Bicycle Crashes

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that early versions of EyeSight that only feature parallel identification of bicyclists managed to reduce cyclist-vehicle collisions by 29%.

Subaru’s Eyesight also uses LiDAR. It also features Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Pre-Collision Braking.

“It’s promising that these early versions of EyeSight prevented crashes with bicycles traveling parallel to the road, but to have a meaningful impact, AEB systems also need to be able to prevent crashes with bicycles that are crossing in front of the vehicle,” said Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research at the Institute and the author of the study.