Subaru has joined the growing list of automakers offering hands-free driving technology, introducing the feature on the US-market Outback. The system, called EyeSight Highway Hands-Free Assist, comes standard on the new-generation Outback Touring and Touring XT in the United States, and existing owners can receive it through a free software update.
At this stage, Subaru has not confirmed whether the technology will be available in Australia. A spokesperson for Subaru Australia said, “Nothing has been confirmed for our market; however, we are always exploring opportunities to bring new and exciting technologies to Australia.”
Similar to General Motors’ Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise, EyeSight Highway Hands-Free Assist supports hands-off driving only on highways, unlike Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system. The feature activates when adaptive cruise control is engaged and operates at speeds of up to 137 km/h on most US highways with at least two lanes. Drivers are notified via a blue icon in the digital instrument cluster when the system is active.
Subaru describes the feature as “limited” hands-free assist, but it also includes active lane-change support, emergency stop assist, and highway pre-curve speed control. During development, Subaru engineers logged nearly 100,000 miles (161,000 km) of hands-free driving.
The system incorporates a second-generation DriverFocus monitoring system, featuring a wider-angle, higher-resolution camera with advanced processing to ensure drivers remain attentive. If the driver becomes distracted, the system disengages and requires hands back on the wheel.
Subaru’s advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) rely on a combination of GPS data, high-definition 3D maps, millimeter-wave radar, and cameras.
Even in Australia, Outbacks already come equipped with extensive safety technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and an emergency driving stop system that safely pulls over the vehicle if the driver becomes incapacitated. The Touring model additionally offers active lane-change assist, though drivers must always maintain hands on the wheel.
