Subaru’s Test Tracks for Advanced Driver Assist Technologies Completed
at Bifuka Proving Ground in Hokkaido, Japan
Tokyo, October 23, 2017 - Subaru Corporation has completed new test tracks for advanced driver assist technologies at the Bifuka Proving Ground in the Subaru R&E Center (Located in Bifuka-cho, Nakagawa-gun) in Hokkaido, Japan. The new test tracks will be put to full use for the development of advanced driver assist technologies from November 2017.
The Bifuka Proving Ground was established in 1995 as a development facility for conducting performance evaluations in cold climates and driving tests on snow. The 361-hectare site includes a variety of test courses and handling courses, and was expanded to include a high-speed circuit in 2003. Designed to simulate actual public roads, the test tracks are used to conduct a variety of tests throughout the year.
Existing test tracks at the Bifuka Proving Ground have been upgraded to build the new Advanced Driver Assist Technologies Test Tracks, to bring the test’s conditions closer to that of actual public roads. An outline of the new tracks is as follows.
| ■ | High-speed circuit: Total length 4.2 km (existing high-speed course upgraded to bring it closer to actual road conditions) | |
| ・ | New gentle curves simulating those on intercity expressways | |
| ・ | New merging and diverging lanes simulating interchanges and service areas on intercity expressways | |
| ・ | New multilane track simulating a four-lane road | |
| ・ | New concrete paved road simulating North American freeway surfaces | |
| ■ | Urban road course | |
| ・ | New urban road course simulating two-way traffic on roads with one lane each way | |
| ・ | Road forms designed to resemble actual road conditions, including intersections with and without turning lanes, guiding zones (zebra zones) | |
| ・ | A roundabout intersection like those found in Europe and other countries | |
| ■ | Other facilities | |
| ・ | The general test tracks have been expanded and new functions added, and the roads inside the proving ground have been expanded. | |
| ・ | The proving ground’s administration building has been rebuilt. | |
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| Gentle curves simulating those on expressways | Urban road course |
Subaru Corporation is pursuing technological development as part of initiatives to strengthen the Subaru brand set out in its mid-term management vision, in the aim of becoming the No. 1 brand for overall safety. It is particularly focused on the further enhancement of its EyeSight driver assist system. The new Levorg and WRX S4 models, which were released in Japan in August this year, are both fitted with Touring Assist, a new feature added to the EyeSight system, as standard equipment.
The new test tracks will be used to further accelerate the technological development needed for driver assist technologies as they become increasingly advanced. Subaru plans to offer by 2020 an automated lane-changing function by adding minimal devices such as digital maps, GPS, and radar to the EyeSight stereo camera.*1 The company also aims to develop an EyeSight-based technology that prevents collisions with vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians at intersections.*2
Subaru will continue its pursuit of engineering excellence to create highly distinctive and compelling vehicles that bring “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind” to its customers.
*1 Announced on May 8, 2015 and March 7, 2016
*2 Announced on March 7, 2016
< Related press release >
June 19, 2017
Subaru to Open New Test Tracks for Advanced Driver Assist Technologies at Bifuka Proving Ground in Hokkaido, Japan
https://www.subaru.co.jp/press/news-en/2017_06_19_4283/
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