Cameras which detect when you are falling asleep wins whatcar? Award

Subaru’s Forester e-BOXER won the award after featuring cameras and infrared sensors to monitor eye movements for distractions. In a headline feature, the car will be able to detect when you

are falling asleep behind the wheel and promises to sound a warning alarm to wake up road users.  The vehicle scored highly in the safety assist tests with features like the driver

monitoring system responsible for the model’s success.  Chris Graham, Managing Director at Subaru UK said: “We’re fast building a reputation for building some of the safest cars on the road

today, with a range of class-leading safety technologies – such as the new Driver Monitoring System – fitted to our vehicles as standard.  “We’re thrilled that our commitment to building

incredibly safe, capable and reliable cars is being recognised across the industry.” Subaru says all their cars are fitted with innovate safety technology as standard with a vast array of

breakthroughs available across their model ranges.  Their eyesight assist technology is standard across the companies Forester, XV, Outback Levorg and Impreza ranges and claims to act as a

second pair of eyes on the road.  The eyesight assist system uses cameras to scan the road ahead for hazards and can offer a series of warnings or instant responses to protect the motorist,

  Features like the pre-collision braking system will automatically slow down or stop a car if you get too close to another vehicle.  Lane assist technology is also on offer and will help

steer the car if you begin to accidentally deviate from the lane you are driving in.  Parking sensors, automatic reverse braking functionality and a rear camera to car your blind spots are

also featured across Subaru's vehicle range.  RUNNERS-UP  BMW may have scooped a series of prizes at the 2020 WhatCar? Car of the Year Awards but secured the runner-up spot in the

Technology category.  The German manufacturer has launched integrated cameras which record footage from various points around the vehicle and then save footage to a USB stick.  If the car is

involved in an accident cameras will automatically save 20 seconds before and 20 seconds after the crash for video evidence.  The revolutionary technology will prove vital for car insurance

claims and can prevent the risk of 'crash for cash' schemes where criminals purposely hit vehicles to claim compensation on policies.  Speaking on the technology, Matthew Avery

said: “This trend-setting tech from BMW enables drivers to record events, helping them to refute bogus claims." Hyundai’s new centre airbag also claimed the runners-up spot in an

upgrade Thatcham’s Research claims is a genuine step forward in passive safety.  The airbag is placed between the driver and passenger which helps reduce the risk of both each other's

heads in a car accident.  The airbag also helps cushion the driver inside his seat and means the body moves around less in the event of a collision.  Avery said: “Mounting the airbag in the

centre console segregates occupants to offer both thorax and head protection in lateral impacts.”