Subaru Mulls Supplier Switch for Autonomous-Vehicle Cameras

Subaru Corp. is evaluating Autoliv Inc. along with current supplier Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. to supply stereo cameras for its next-generation EyeSight technology for automated vehicle systems, Bloomberg News reports.

A sourcing decision for the upgraded EyeSight system, which is due to launch on Subaru vehicles in 2020, could be announced by July, according to the news agency, which cites unnamed industry sources. Subaru, Hitachi Automotive and Autoliv decline to comment.

EyeSight is the first driver-assist system to rely solely on stereo cameras to detect nearby objects, including other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, Subaru says. The updated EyeSight will add the capability to autonomously follow other vehicles on the highway and change lanes as necessary.

Hitachi and Subaru began joint development of stereo cameras in 2004. The systems use two or more lenses with separate image sensors to help enable 3D image recognition. Carmakers typically use a mix of cameras, radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors to monitor surrounding objects for automated vehicle systems.

At the end of last year Subaru said it had sold 1 million EyeSight-equipped models—including more than 90% of Subarus sold in Japan last year—since launching the technology in 2008. Vehicles with the system had 61% fewer accidents resulting in injury or death per 10,000 vehicles than those without it, according to the carmaker, which cites data from Japan's Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis.

If approved, the Subaru deal would be Autoliv’s first contract in Japan for cameras used in self-driving car systems, Bloomberg notes. Last year the Swedish supplier launched a 50:50 joint venture to develop advanced driver assist systems with Volvo Car Corp.

Hitachi previously has said it aims to have 10% share of the information and safety market, which the Tokyo-based supplier estimates will be worth more than 3 trillion yen ($27 billion) by 2020. Subaru accounted for about 8% of Hitachi Automotive's business last year. The Japanese supplier also supplies stereo cameras to Suzuki Motor Corp.