Full matrix headlight functionality just approved by NHTSA!

Full matrix headlight functionality has just been approved by NHTSA!

I’m very excited to see this approved. Can’t wait for the updates.

US approves new headlights that won’t blind oncoming drivers

Anyone who has ever been temporarily blinded by high-beam headlights from an oncoming car will be happy to hear this.

www.wbko.com

(“20191122-tesla-Cybertruck-driving-lightbar” by Kruzat is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.)

 

[terranx]

while i get what you are saying, Matrix is already being used in Europe. To my knowledge (though limited) there are no complaints.

I'm under the impression that even in Europe they're used in the on/off manner as in the US. (With Tesla -- I know other manufacturers do them well. I'm just not confident in Tesla's ability to do so).

Do the S or X vehicles have this?

Not yet.

 

[DanTeSX]

But I like being able to highbeam oncoming drivers. Don’t take my passive aggressive taunt away from me!

I also use them to warn oncoming traffic of police running radar ahead of them. So that negates the negative karma of intentionally hibeaming people whom I choose to annoy.

 

[kleinja]

All model 3s and model Y performances. MYLR doesn't get them.

True. My 2021 Model 3 LR has the matrix headlights too. Delivered in August. It was able to display the Tesla wording during the light show

 

[ShelJW]

So it’s clear a lot of people are excited about this. Why is this so life changing? I don’t really have trouble seeing at night. I get it that once everybody has these lights there will be less glare/blinding … but what does it do for the owner to have these lights?

Check out this video, it demonstrates the advantages of Matrix headlights...

 

[HotIce]

Are you saying some of us already have these special headlights in the US but they are disabled …and all we need is an ota update?

That is correct. The Model 3 LR and Performance and the Model Y Performance with the projector lights have the functionality. Anyone with reflector headlights, doesn't.

 

[HotIce]

Do the S or X vehicles have this?

The Model S is apparently getting an update to the headlights and taillights. It will once it does.

 

[TunaBug]

I wanted to learn more about the headlights and found a teardown of the M3 headlight units. It is mind-boggling how much complexity is in there. For the projector circuit board showing the matrix of 102 LEDs skip to 15:25 (close to the end). But if you watch the whole thing you'll see many other LEDs on other circuit boards, too.

 

[DanTeSX]

I wanted to learn more about the headlights and found a teardown of the M3 headlight units. It is mind-boggling how much complexity is in there. For the projector circuit board showing the matrix of 102 LEDs skip to 15:25 (close to the end). But if you watch the whole thing you'll see many other LEDs on other circuit boards, too.

That is amazingly complex! It is unnerving in once sense, and beautiful in another.

I remember buying single halogen bulbs not long ago.

 

[jpy1980]

Check out this video, it demonstrates the advantages of Matrix headlights...

Wtf. This just blew my mind!

 

[TunaBug]

I remember buying single halogen bulbs not long ago.

Indeed. I've gotten on my soapbox before about how LED taillights piss me off...lots of expense to replace just so that some artistic designer at the auto company can strut their stuff with a silly shape and dadgummit I miss being able get a simple replacement bulb at NAPA! But these things? They probably cost over $1000 to replace (just for the part) but after watching the video I would feal like I'm at least getting something for it.

 

[JimmySure]

Makes sense. That would be an improvement. Do any automakers do auto high beams well?

My 2015 Range Rover Sport auto high beams are excellent. As in notably superior to my 2021 MY.

 

[doats1]

while i get what you are saying, Matrix is already being used in Europe. To my knowledge (though limited) there are no complaints.

Tesla have not enabled matrix headlights in any region.

 

[EVTee]

This is exciting! Hopefully Canadians will get it around the same time as our friends south of the border. I paid to have the full matrix headlight on my previous BMW and then paid a third party coder to enable the European matrix capability. It was such a huge difference to have the tunnelling enabled vs the “dumb” on/off style adaptive beams. Can’t wait to get this as an OTA update hopefully this year

 

[DM206433]

Can’t wait to get this as an OTA update hopefully this year

We can only hope, though I fear we're more likely to get whoopie cushion mk2 and some sort of Kinect style game using the internal cabin camera long before any useful improvements come

 

[SuperDave]

 

[coleman567]

My 2015 Range Rover Sport auto high beams are excellent. As in notably superior to my 2021 MY.

My 2013 Ford Fusion was lightyears above and beyond my '21 MY.

 

[AJB123]

Proper matrix headlights are pretty cool if done properly. I remember driving a few years ago, and couldn't work out why my car was lighting the verges in front of me so well all of a sudden when my lights were dipped because there were oncoming cars. Then finally twigged that it was the car behind shining its lights past me, and lighting the edge of the road in front of me and into the distance, without dazzling me at all. That was a BMW - I've kind of wanted matrix lights ever since that one day!

 

[PerBB]

All model 3s and model Y performances. MYLR doesn't get them.

Well my LR has..

 

[PerBB]

Had several VW's with LED matrix, it's really much better than the full on/off, BUT since the HB/LB function is pretty bad as it is, I could worry wether "Elon" can make it work...

 

[PerBB]

So it’s clear a lot of people are excited about this. Why is this so life changing? I don’t really have trouble seeing at night. I get it that once everybody has these lights there will be less glare/blinding … but what does it do for the owner to have these lights?

It lights up in HB mode around other cars, so you get a much better forward visibility! MUCH better