Subaru Obtains Self-Driving Test License in California

Feb 13, 2017 05:00 PM EST | Joyce Vega

The Japanese company has obtained an Autonomous Vehicle Testing Permit from the California’s DMV. The number of automakers that can test their autonomous vehicles in California is rising, even though other states are passing regulations to allow for autonomous testing too.

Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries. Subaru has been improving the safety of their vehicles year after year, the latest being their EyeSight System. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is the culmination of everything Subaru engineers know about safety. EyeSight monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns the driver if the car starts swaying outside of the lane.

To earn a 2016 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. All 2016 Subaru models that are equipped with EyeSight System receive the highest possible rating for front crash prevention by the IIHS. EyeSight is available on Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback and WRX models.

But the safety of Subaru’s drivers doesn’t stop there. According to Engadget, some Subaru models already have assisted driving features. Those features are camera-based Eyesight system, adaptive cruise control, sway warning and pre-collision braking.

Subaru is also developing new capabilities that are meant to kick in while doing speeds of up to 40mph, including the ability to auto-start and stop in slow traffic. The company also aims to offer highway driving semi-autonomous capabilities by 2020. They will include lane switching and following the road round bends and curves. It is still unknown which features Subaru is going to test, and if they are any of these.

According to Tech Crunch, California is the most sought out state for a lot of companies that look to test their autonomous or semi-autonomous driving features. The permit program introduced by the state’s DMV, allows automakers to run trials on public highways and city streets as long as they meet its requirements and pay its modest lacewings fee.

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