Called DriverFocus, the technology is included in the most expensive version of the 2018 Subaru Forester. It can remember the climate, info-tainment and seat position presets for up to five drivers, whom it recognizes based on their faces. According to Subaru, DriverFocus is a “driver monitoring system that uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction.”
The Forester also comes with Subaru’s EyeSight technology, available in all versions of the model. While EyeSight doesn’t use facial recognition tech and is not a hands-free system, it does have a variety of automated driving features including lane-keep assist, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure alerts.
Kate is a senior copy editor in Northern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in professional writing from the University of California, Davis.