Subaru has been granted a patent for a vehicle drive assist apparatus that enhances lane-keeping and lane departure prevention. The system utilizes a surrounding situation information acquisition device and a steering angle sensor to assess nearby vehicles and obstacles, adjusting the vehicle’s path based on avoidance priority levels. GlobalData’s report on Subaru gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Subaru, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. Subaru's grant share as of July 2024 was 61%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Vehicle drive assist apparatus for lane keeping and avoidance

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Subaru Corp

The granted patent US12071128B2 describes a vehicle drive assist apparatus designed to enhance safety during lane-keeping and lane departure prevention. The apparatus integrates a surrounding situation information acquisition device, which can be a camera or radar sensor, to gather data about the vehicle's environment. It also includes a steering angle sensor to monitor the vehicle's steering dynamics. The core functionality of the system is managed by a traveling controller that executes steering assist control based on inputs from both the surrounding situation information acquisition device and the steering angle sensor. This system is capable of recognizing oncoming vehicles in adjacent lanes and potential obstacles on the road shoulder, allowing it to assess avoidance priority levels for both threats. Based on these assessments, the apparatus can adjust the vehicle's path to maintain safe travel within the lane.

Further enhancing its capabilities, the vehicle drive assist apparatus can determine the likelihood of lane departure and adjust the vehicle's trajectory accordingly. The avoidance priority levels are calculated using factors such as the lateral distance and relative speed between the vehicle and oncoming traffic, as well as the height of obstacles in relation to the vehicle's rearview mirror. The system is designed to ensure that the vehicle maintains a safe distance from either the oncoming vehicle or the identified avoidance target, depending on which presents a higher risk. This innovative approach aims to improve overall driving safety by proactively managing lane-keeping and preventing unintended lane departures.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.