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Subaru Corporation is testing a new Crosstrek subcompact SUV with new self-driving technology. How close are we to having self-driving technology in Subaru vehicles? It’s closer than anyone thought. We explain the new technology they’re testing now and what it means for customers.
Subaru announced that it has deployed a local 5G network at its test course in Japan and has begun testing cooperative driving automation.
Subaru has also deployed a local sub-6 5G standalone network covering the entire circuit at the Subaru R&E Center’s Bifuka Proving Ground in Hokkaido.
This is a big step forward.
The network marks an important step in testing cooperative driving automation because it provides a fast, reliable connection for testing multiple autonomous vehicles merging and other maneuvers, as well as cooperative control, including remote vehicle control.
Subaru says, “5G infrastructure uses frequency bands below 6 GHz, providing wider coverage than mmWave from a single base station. High directionality and wide bandwidth enable high-speed, large-capacity data transmission.”
“A 5G network that can be built and operated independently using only 5G, without requiring the communication facilities of a mobile network operator (MNO) or 4G for control signals.”
This is the first time for a Japanese automaker.
“Subaru’s move marks a significant milestone for the automotive industry as it is the first time a Japanese automaker has built a local 5G network on a test track. This pioneering step is testament to Subaru’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology.”
Subaru has been working on research into autonomous driving systems using mobile communications at the Subaru R&E Center, which oversees advanced research. Now, by utilizing the high-speed and highly reliable communications environment provided by the local 5G SA network, the company has begun demonstrations of cooperative control, such as merging of multiple autonomous vehicles, and remote vehicle control.
The server plays a key role in an autonomous driving system: it calculates routes and other driving plans and provides them for vehicle guidance, it calculates the data required for driving plans and vehicle control, and it directs the driving control of the vehicle.
Seven sub-6 wireless base stations have been installed around Subaru’s circuit course, enabling remote control of coordinated automated driving throughout the entire area.
This equipment is comprised of the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (NDAC) system from Nokia Solutions and Networks Japan, LLC, and its implementation was made possible with the support of NS Solutions Co., Ltd.
Subaru states, “We will continue to strive to further reduce accidents and will continue to engage in research and development so that we can deliver ‘enjoyment and peace of mind’ to the mobility society of the future.”
We previously reported here that Subaru recently completed another round of testing of the new Subaru Crosstrek equipped with InnovizOne’s LiDAR technology.
The integration of InnovizOne LiDAR into the Subaru Crosstrek automated test vehicle marks a major step toward improving safety and reliability in more highly automated driving. With eight cameras, the system provides additional sensor redundancy to ensure a safer driving experience.
Subaru has pledged to achieve zero fatal accidents by 2030.
Can Subaru achieve zero fatalities with its next-generation vehicles? Subaru Corporation says yes. The company says it will achieve that goal by 2030. Here’s how.
Subaru Corporation’s new collaboration with AMD, Santa Clara, Calif., is a testament to the power of partnerships to drive technological innovation. The collaboration aims to design a system-on-chip (SoC) circuit that integrates stereo camera recognition processing and AI inference to pave the way for optimal decision-making in autonomous driving technology.
Subaru said, “We partnered with AMD to design an optimized SoC circuit based on the recently released AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 adaptive SoC to deliver cutting-edge AI inference performance and ultra-low latency processing at a low cost.”
The next-generation Outback may be the first to feature it.
The next-generation 2026 Outback midsize SUV may be the first Subaru model to adopt the new technology. The all-new, facelifted 2026 Outback midsize SUV is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in late 2025, just in time for it to get the new EyeSight X.
Subaru states, “We are committed to manufacturing cars based on a comprehensive ‘all-round safety’ philosophy, including ‘preventive safety’ represented by safe driving support technologies such as EyeSight, as well as ‘basic safety’, ‘active safety’, ‘passive safety’ and ‘connected safety’. We will continue to improve safety in each area, striving to further evolve towards the realization of our goal of ‘zero traffic fatalities by 2030.”
Subaru’s new self-driving technology is coming. Are you ready for a more hands-off Subaru Outback to help achieve zero fatalities? Let us know by clicking the red “Add new comment” link below.
I’m Dennis Friel and I’ve been a Senior Writer at Torque News since 2012. I’ve been a consultant in the automotive industry for over 13 years and have worked with every major automotive brand. I’m an experienced member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. You can find my expert analysis on Subaru here. Follow me on X. Subaru Report, All Subaru vehicles, WRXSTI, Dennis FrielFacebook and Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Subaru
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