Adaptive Tesla matrix headlights update with selective high beam pixel dimming arriving to the US
Tesla is preparing to release the adaptive high beam headlights that European owners are already enjoying in the US as well.
Its chief engineer Lars Moravy has now confirmed that Tesla is "almost there" when it comes to the regulatory permits required to launch its adaptive headlights feature in the US. His comment was in answer to a release question that extolled the virtues of such headlights on a Model Y rental:
After driving a Giga Shanghai-made Model Y in Iceland a few weeks ago, I'm even more eager to get the EU-approved adaptive headlight functionality in the US. On bumpy roads, I could follow my friends closely with the high beams on, never impairing their visibility once!
Tesla brought the adaptive high beams glare feature on all of its cars to Europe back in the spring, including the Model Y and those legacy Model 3 batches made in the 2021-2023 period that come with headlights that support selective pixel dimming. Every new Tesla built since January 2023 should come with such matrix headlights, too.
When Tesla launched adaptive headlights in Europe, Lars Moravy promised "more regions and features to follow as we get necessary certifications," and the US is apparently now finally in play.
The US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 is much stricter than European regulations, which explains while American Teslas with matrix headlights haven't gotten the adaptive high beams option just yet.
Upon approval, it usually takes Tesla just a few weeks to start rolling the update, so Teslas in the US could get adaptive headlights before the end of the year. Currently, US models do have the option in settings, but it just serves as an Auto High Beam switch that also adjusts the headlights into curves.
When the true Adaptive Headlights option arrives for US owners, their Teslas with matrix headlights will be able to selectively dim pixels down to the individual level when the high beams fall onto any traffic participant that would otherwise be blinded by their glare.
Source(s)
Lars Moravy (X)
