Hitachi Sets Sights on Automated Parking

Hitachi Automotive, which already supplies stereo cameras for Subaru’s EyeSight collision-avoidance system, is developing a camera-based monitoring system for automated parking.

The technology, a joint project with Clarion, a Hitachi subsidiary, is scheduled for market introduction in 2018, says Richard Kamioke, president and CEO of Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, the Japanese supplier's Detroit-based subsidiary.

Subaru places Hitachi stereo cameras on either side of the rear-view mirror behind the windshield, facing forward. The EyeSight system enables lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control and identifies objects in the roadway, which can trigger a braking event on behalf of a distracted driver.

EyeSight has been available for two years in the U.S. and is optional on the Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback and WRX. It is not available on the STI and BRZ sports cars. 

In addition to Subaru, Hitachi sells stereo cameras to Suzuki for a dual-camera brake system currently available in the Solio and Spacia minicars in Japan.

Hitachi also supplies electric motors to General Motors for the Chevrolet Volt and will deliver lithium-ion batteries for the new Malibu hybrid due out in spring. For the Malibu, it will supply fourth-generation batteries which boast a power-to-weight ratio of 5 kW/kg and an energy density of 83 Wh/kg.

Hitachi’s third-generation battery (rated at 3 kW/kg and 61 Wh/kg) currently is used by Nissan for the Murano, Pathfinder, X-Trail and Infiniti QX60 hybrids.