US approves new headlights that won’t blind oncoming drivers

Seems promising? @crashnburn80 is this technology legit? The article indicates it's fairly common in Europe.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavi...lth-congress-761cac7ae30a03ab6a399b9676ae44bb

 

Do you know if that was raw video of the headlight movements or if it was animation-enhanced? If that's real it is impressive.

 

If I'm not mistaken the Tesla model 3 performance and model y performance already have (disabled) adaptive headlights on the newer performance models these in the US. Just waiting for a software update to enable them. I wonder if any other manufacturer has done the same thing.

 

Was curious how long it would be before someone posted this. It is legit and very exciting to have the tech finally approved for use in the US.

Audi has on some models, likely other premium European brands as well. The headlights will need to be compliance tested against whatever beam standards are adopted in the US and the headlights may require software updates, but it is retroactively applicable to some vehicles already out on the road today.

 

I see a lucrative future for those specializing in the field of headlight repair and programming.

 

Elon Musk has been pushing for this as well for a while, he refers to it as a "Global Headlamp". It makes sense that he would so he can reduce the amount of different models of the same part, saves time and money. Then like @soggyBottom was pointing out, it's as simple as a software change to make it conform to the locations standards. You KNOW people are going to hack that software and do all sorts of cool stuff!

https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tes...em-customizable-to-all-countries-requirements

 

How much is this going to add to the total price of the vehicle?

 

FIFY

 

For Audi it is a $3k option IIRC. The technology is approved for use, it is not a requirement. Meaning you’ll still be able to buy vehicles without it and not pay the premium.

 

Too many factors to take into account. But it generally comes at a pretty hefty premium. Right now I think the Tesla 3 is the cheapest vehicle with adaptive headlights, otherwise most are $80k+ luxury vehicles! But like everything else, technology will trickle down over time.

It isn't a requirement, it's just now finally legal!! We likely won't see it on the Tacoma in a really long time, just doesn't make sense for Toyota to do it in the foreseeable future on their trucks or 4Runner line IMO due to cost.

EDIT: I'm excited to see it trickle down in the future. But I'm also kind of sad because I like to customize lighting to stand out and this will make it all but impossible:-(

 

Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but...

Headlights are for providing safe illumination at night, not projecting stupid logos and indicators onto public roadways.

Using adaptive optics to improve forward illumination and reduce glare/blinding other drivers is a great idea. And long overdue.

But keep those irritating indicators and animations off the roadway. Put that shit in a HUD where it belongs. (I mean this generally, not to the folks posting the videos here!) Does oncoming traffic want to see randomly blinking obnoxious road glare on rainy nights? Do pedestrians want every passing car shine some random light pattern in their direction? Modern sensors and driver aids can definitely improve everyone's safety, but why on earth would you project these indicators outside of the vehicle to confuse and annoy other people?

And the second video shows long-distance lights flickering on and off randomly, generally failing to illuminate the full width of the roadway, while the lights continuously blind oncoming traffic to the left, just as they get close enough for light to pass between the blinders installed on the lane barrier. The system is doing the exact opposite of what it should, and is specifically circumventing a well-established system (the barrier blinders) for reducing oncoming headlight glare.

I'll look forward to when they eventually get this right, but until then, get off my damn lawn.

 

I don't think sequential turn signal are a good idea for the general public. They are legal and DOT approved so my opinion is worthless as far as that concern.

Most of the motor public will probably realize that it's a turn signal, but I think the only sequential signaling on the road should be reserved for emergency and maintenance vehicles in the form of a traffic advisor or arrow.

 

Ug, looks like a way to make headlights overcomplicated, more prone to failure, and more expensive. Low beams already don't blind other drivers.

 

The idea is that without seeing the entire vehicle the sequential illumination should signify which direction the vehicle is turning. A traditional turn signal does not provide this data, unless you can determine which side of the vehicle the flash is on.

Low beams also provide limited visibility compared to high beam. It is a safety feature to extend the visibility of the driver beyond what is capable with low beams to make driving safer, but to do so requires the matrix technology to not blind other drivers.

 

I could see where that might be an added benefit, but I think that is solving a problem which does not exist. I don't think I have ever questioned which direction a vehicle is traveling, or what side the flash is emitting from.

This might not be a problem, the only down side to a sequetial signal is that the entire flash isn't illuminated until the end of the sequence. Which provides less visibility of the signal.

 

So are powered seats and mirrors. My wife has a Tesla. Auto pilot doesn't work well at high speeds if it's too dark. The car can't see the road and neither can I. It would be really nice to be able to just leave the high beams on and not worry about blinding people.

 

I can see both arguments, there are some OEMs that get sequentials right IMO. Others are distracting or ugly. But I would be pissed if new headlights started projecting symbols and patterns onto the ground like shown in the video above.


I really hate brake light flashers and think they should be illegal. Okay, not actually illegal, I don't like laws... but I wish they didn't exist.

Others think they're a genius safety device. And I guess that's their right.

But sitting through an hour-long traffic jam behind some ass-clown with a brake light flasher will make you want to murder them.

 

Or driving in a heavy rainstorm when dozens of imbeciles turn on their emergency flashers and continue to drive. If they feel the need to use the flashers they should pull over and stop. I don't understand why manufacturers don't disable the flashers when the vehicle is moving. When many cars in traffic are driving with them turned on, you can't easily discern who is stopping (brake lights) or who is changing lanes.