Forget Low Beams and High Beams, Headlights Are Getting Smart Instead

[@rus.t]

Oh man, headlight fluids will be expensive after this

[@lidoz]

They will need the magnetic fluid for dual switch headlights 🤷‍♂️

[@mellyzaurora1277]

🤣🤣

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

We can hope for generic cartridge refill kits on the Ebays but they probably won't work nearly as well.

[@benhaze1010]

@7:50 I was exactly going to say the same; the auto-dimming feature on our Audi A4 is so annoying and overly active that we never use it, especially on a country road.

[@JW-mx3qg]

I purchased the optional Laserlight with anti dazzle on my BMW i4 and after re-coding to make them work like in Europe, they work great. I know that they have signed initials to allow such but still restricted because (really) the US are anti competitive in this since they want their own technology developed to compete instead of the free market to dictate the safest feature.

[@MrIAMLEGENDstudios]

Can you imaging paying, $2k to replace a cracked headlight fixture 😂😂😂😢

[@NewShockerGuy]

Most of the headlights now on the vehicles that I own are at least $1,500 to $2,000 each if something happens lol . It's been like that for many years now with bi-xenons with active curve and now with our Lexus triple beam headlights that are LED with active curve.. Etc. And if they get cracked I guess I just call insurance and pay my deductible in the knee replace it.

[@RayMelville]

This will be twice that at least.

[@openwheelracing88]

Now mandate amber rear turn signals.

[@berto1014]

Lol, did you get this from Technology Connections? But I agree, not only is it safer, they just look better in my opinion too.

[@miles5600]

And sequential turn signs. Yup even that’s not allowed…

[@JRPGGUY]

The illuminated crosswalk was impressive.

[@joseflores-is8mq]

More crap to make cars more expensive,

[@MarioDallaRiva]

On no! Ads projected on the road surface 🙀

[@joelface]

Really interesting subject, with some really unique ideas about the future of headlights... and I thought Brian did a really great job of explaining it and bringing up some of the potential issues. Well done.

[@marct9587]

This technology is pretty much moot in the US, unless they force all these these jacked up pickup truck drivers that have super bright headlights that are adjusted way too high on low beams to get their lights adjusted properly. These drivers seem to like intentionally intimidating and blinding other drivers. When one of these trucks is oncoming, I can't really see anything unless I put my lights on high beam.

[@A.I.Silicate]

Moot? This tech will solve those problems when it’s working property. They just need to get it to a point where it works reliably and consistent.

[@marct9587]

@@A.I.Silicate Yes, it's moot in the US because we have a big problem with jacked up trucks and SUV's with super bright lights that are going to blind you, even with this "smart" lighting technology. I don't see how this tech is going to solve the problem of all these trucks blinding you.

[@sallycostello4325]

I totally agree! You can't even see the road no matter where you focus your eyes. This should be illegal!!!!

[@marct9587]

@@sallycostello4325 Yeah, I live in rural Texas and these pickup trucks with super bright lights that are aimed too high are everywhere.

[@enripc]

Some cars have something like this here in USA but I really don’t like is too bright and won’t demen on time or at all

[@fortissimolaud]

I can't believe it's 2022 and American turn signal lights can still be red and aren't required to be yellow like everywhere else. It's a hazard!

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Yeah, and some of those red rear turn signals are barely visible!

[@rickjohnson2859]

My Father's 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88, it's had yellow rear turn signal lights. It was one of the few American cars that had yellow rear turn signal lights at the time.

[@NewShockerGuy]

Yeah seems really strange to me that we have an implemented that in the US... I actually like Amber turn signals. On a few vehicles that I have it actually used a red bulb in the clear housing and I changed out for Amber. Way more visible and I think honestly it looks better when it flashes.

[@danharold3087]

US here. I prefer yellow as it is know to be safer. I don't get cranked about it. I have seen the 5.3% number. I have also seen that there is a lot of variability in tail lights. On cars with incandescent bulbs the voltage regulator output could make more difference than the yellow red thing. Even more so the quality of the ground connection or corrosion in the socket. Again I am in favor of the yellow. But do not see it as the issue others seem to. Yup I drive old cars 🚓

[@vipahman]

i just purchased a 2023 CX-50 with Adaptive Headlights. It turns 15-degrees to each side when the steering is turned.

[@venusfan]

BMW's in the USA with the adpative headlights option only need to be coded for them to work like the ones in Europe.

[@Anne_Onymous]

Great.... Fancy, moving headlights. Yet another thing to break on my car and required money to fix lol

[@openwheelracing88]

Except we have been paying for it with feature deactivated.

[@ranyw]

Brian, my 2022 Polestar 2 was equipped with this technology however it's disabled in the US market. We were promised that a software patch would activate them once the laws are in place.

[@chrisfriends7911]

US is last for anything tech.

[@miles5600]

Has it activated yet?

[@ranyw]

Nope, not activated yet. WHO says they will ? I heard newer models aren’t being equipped in the US.

[@miles5600]

newer models aren't equipped with ADB? that's weird.@@ranyw

[@nelsoncabrera6464]

The million mirrors thing sounds like a DLP chip (digital light processing) which were used in old school projection TV's from the 2000s and still being used in some home theater projectors today.

[@NextNate03]

Another component on a car that going to cost thousands of dollars to fix. Where most people can't afford a $500 emergency bill. I don't think the tech (mostly AR) is going to work in bad weather conditions like snow, heavy fog, or even heavy rain. That is with paved roads that is in good condition. Then there is gravel, dirt or even bad paved roads, don't think its going to work. I rather have them up the voltage from 12 volts to 48 volts or higher in electric systems. I could not tell you how many times over the 20+ years of driving that the car lights (breaks, turn signals and so on) are almost impossible to see on very sunny days or when the sunlight hits the lights directly.

[@JonWyattMedia]

When I ordered my Long Range Model 3 in March, Tesla was shipping Matrix lights. Unfortunately, when I took delivery in June, they were not included. Very disappointed about my case, but excited that more cars on the road will have them.

[@kevanray]

I’d wager you’ll be able to swap/upgrade them in the future once they’re written into law and the aftermarket can catch up to coding them into the onboard computer. We have them on our MYP and adore them. Even without the “smart” system they’re still amazing.

[@JonWyattMedia]

@@kevanray I hope so! Before I took delivery, my Tesla advisor told me that they can’t be retrofitted after delivery.

[@envisibleward2422]

one more thing to break or blind someone causing a high speed crash

[@SSS-mp8th]

While cool those headlights are seriously expensive to replace.

[@BB..........]

1:36 "they couldn't both be on at once" What? Quad headlight setups usually have all 4 bulbs lit when high-beams are on. My Smart ForTwo illuminates all 4 bulbs when high-beams are turned on.

[@MRobertLurerM]

Adaptive smart headlights have been around on higher end vehicles for years... heck my 2015 Mazda CX5 had adaptive headlights with many of the features you spoke of???

[@144Donn]

I have been driving a 1987 300ZX for years. I do not have to deal with SERVICE NEEDED lights or other bothersome beeps.

[@PaulHo]

This isn't switching from high to low beams like the current automatic headlights though, it's shutting off individual pixels of the high beam LEDs. Without a low beam concurrently on, it's just blacking out other cars/drivers. Does this just leave black spots on the road and you relying on their head/tail lights and side markers?

[@robbrownfield7677]

On some evenings, you see a distinctive dark V shape, but certainly my Subaru ones have enough bleed off not to leave the road unseen. I am really impressed by them.

[@landinhardy7682]

Cooley is a detail oriented guy by how he said head up display instead of heads up like most people. Unrelated but I always thought it was driver's license until I actually looked at mine and there's no s

[@The.JZA.]

Smart highbeams like Audis matrix headlights are great but projecting information onto the road sounds silly to me. We have heads up displays already, there’s no need to add extra expense for that.

[@danharold3087]

With these lights the hardware is already there. Figuring out what to draw is the larger task. Lots of programming

[@Jsah11]

As someone who has had matrix LED on a Range Rover and Multibeam LED on an E class, get ready to get flashed a lot. Yes they are adaptive but in reality, they aren’t as clever as we’re led to believe.

[@caseroberts9863]

"Headlights not Required" If we put small magnets in the road, and make cars with low range transponders. It will enable the autonomous vehicles to act more like a hive. Without actually having to communicate. So they can react properly to adverse conditions ahead. Also never make vehicles that can receive outside data through electronic transmission. Otherwise hacking of essential functions will occur. System updates, should be downloaded. Then plugged in to a port. Same for roadside assistance. Downloaded to a phone, then uploaded into a port. It can transmit, diagnostics, and location only.

[@varunnanda19]

You did such good video on 2015 mustang reveal. Where is video of 2024 mustang event

[@shamalk]

We've had this technology in BMW for years..

[@Canleaf08]

Thanks, CNET, I'd rather control the beams by myself.

[@RayMelville]

If it ends as an expensive option it will be rarely checked option as it seems to benefit mainly other drivers not the driver using it.

[@robertmontgomery7158]

Price the replacement cost.

[@rickjohnson2859]

An arm and a leg.😠

[@thaatsriight]

This story has got me like: “woah, check out them headlights” 😲

[@Kerleem]

I wish I could talk to one of these US vehicle regulators to see why they are the way they are.

[@DannerBanks]

I would much prefer a HUD on my windshield than instructions via my headlights. Those would only work at night anyway.

[@cranialnerv]

Approved years ago. Still not one on the road in the USA. Don’t hold you’re breath on the NHTSA testing. maybe 2030.

[@hirobinhi]

My dealer estimates fixing my high beams could be $700. Good luck to all of us.

[@Wade856]

Yep... that's a $5k package 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@thatguy.7608]

How does this work in the snow though?

[@smittenkitten573]

My old 2008 audi headlights turned as my car did! So they were pretty smart back then.

[@danharold3087]

I think tucker had a 3rd center headlight that did that in 1948

[@dominica2392]

My Toyota Highlander has that 2021

[@MrEric915]

I hope all car companies do this soon.

[@michaeljjensen]

Not sure you won’t still feel the lights are dazzling even if they aren’t blinding.

[@kennixox262]

I shall believe it when I see it and have major doubts about the U.S. headlight and taillight situation. My car has these lights but via software is deactivated and I have MAJOR doubts that a dealer software update will enable these features.

[@miles5600]

What car you got? You might be able to flash european software onto it.

[@kennixox262]

The particular car I am referring to, 2021 Audi S-5 Prestige. It also has laser bright lights and have only seen the indicator for that once driving out of town in the desert.@@miles5600

[@timbrown9731]

Brian I’ve always felt that on your tail lights when you’re in a panic stop have them flash rapidly letting you know that person is pretty much 100% on their brakes in a panic situation I feel that would give us a slight one to two second heads up emergency situation.

[@SecretSauceyjuice]

I've seen people mod their taillights to do this, but it blinks regardless of brake pressure and usually just for the first second or two. But I agree, something like if over 70% of brake pressure is applied then flash the middle light or something. I say the middle only, mostly because many cars (in the US at least) stupidly use the same red brake lights as indicators/blinkers. So adding a flashing function to the brakes could look like an indicator to the vehicles to the left and right of the braking vehicle who can't see the other side. IMO indicators should be mandatory yellow. Or white even, but absolutely not using the same red brake light. But that's unfortunately not the way it is.

[@Silver_o]

Mercedes has this in the w211 E-class. I don't know if they have it in any other models then or since that time.

[@robbrownfield7677]

Volvo have had this for quite a while now. Must have been 12 years since I owned a Volvo with them. My Audi also had it about 7 years ago. I think they are brilliant.

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

Oh great America finally caught up to the rest of the world with adaptive headlights.

[@headfirst6227]

Sounds great but there will always be reflective glare. Would likely be better than zombie drivers anyway.

[@JordanCrawfordSF]

Going into AutoZone in 2023 be like, "I need 42,284 very very tiny LEDs... one headlight is out."

[@sallycostello4325]

This cracked me up....I had to laugh. Wonder how much each of those tiny lights will cost. Lol

[@paulyguitary7651]

I’m fine not being able to get it because it’s too expensive. This feature is more beneficial to people not in that car but the ones passing it. It would be nice if they were inexpensive so more people could get it that way I would have a less likely chance of getting blinded.

[@robbrownfield7677]

They are extremely good for the driver in the car that has them. They have transformed my driving on country roads here in Scotland. They highlight the edges of the road for quite a distance and with the amount of deer, that is really useful. As they adapt the beam, you still see the edges of the road on “full beam” even if a car is coming towards you.

[@timbrown9731]

I disagree on the higher end models getting these headlights manufacturers could make this headlight from the original manufacturers straight across the board because the more units of production the lower the price of cost.

[@slav7221]

I put Cooley next to me when I sleep just so he can talk to me in my ear

[@videobiker9131]

Citroen had a similar feature on its DSS and they couldn’t have that feature here in the US. I can’t believe the US is finally catching up to the French. 😅

[@TJWasiuk]

I can see people customize their lights to say things to other drivers lol

[@joenissan]

We’ll never see any such thing go mainstream. Silly.

[@stephenbannister965]

I still would want light on the road between myself and the other car

[@joelface]

I think it could still have the headlight on the road leading up to the car, but not pointing up high enough to hit the windows or mirrors of the car. The illustration was being a little over-simplified to make it's point of how it works, I think.

[@SENYLA-HOME]

Tesla has this, just waiting on govt for software update.

[@dw4070]

I think all new Tesla’s have amber turn signals now too.

[@EyesOfByes]

Hey, it’s Chip Chapley

[@Tang0Fox1]

Soo even changing a headlight will be the cost of a small car now. Wonderful.

[@miles5600]

Has already been the case for years now lol

[@WyndStryke]

These matrix lights have been in this part of the world for a decade. Why wait for the 'first few model years' when it's already mature tech?

[@scooterstoked]

WE are the mods!

[@babyrok86]

Whenever someone is coming my way with their High Beams and refuse to lower them till I pass then I challenge them with my High Beams and lightbar to blind them just as much they did to me and leave it to faith to whatever happens next.

[@CarStory]

Great so then you have two blind drivers. Way to be.

[@sallycostello4325]

Why do you need a lightbar???? I think you win hands down in the blinding people department.

[@sallycostello4325]

And let's have more distractions with pictures on the road. Lol

[@2012bigPerm]

replacing existing 'lifetime' LED headlights costs a fortune when they fail; I'm sure this will be very affordable.

[@robbrownfield7677]

I have not had to replace anything on LED lights and my vehicles have had them for 11 years. Previous to that I was probably getting through a bulb a year except for a Subaru Outback that had a habit of blowing the left hand halogen almost monthly.

[@TechGamesAU]

My car has had this exact tech since 2015 (Audi matrix lights). It’s nothing new.

[@bohan9957]

In this country (USA) let's focus on automatic turn signals before going too crazy with smart headlights.

[@miles5600]

Or just all of them at once.

[@YouAndImpact]

Great 👍

[@markdudley5656]

This isn’t anything new. Only new in the U.S.. it’s been in Europe for 20 years already.

[@Jay-zd7lt]

nice

[@lawrencev.athill7502]

If this comes to fruition, I will have to stop driving at night altogether. On coming lights will become blinding.

[@ADJenks]

Like did you even watch the video? Or you just like complaining to complain?

[@hanzo9941]

Not needed. Its just gonna make things worse with less control over your own car.

[@kennychan9403]

It really doesn’t matter how incredible the headlight technology has become because there are still so many people driving with day time running lights at night.

[@miles5600]

That’s because they forget they tuned them off. Recent legislation has now made it so that the headlights go to automatic every time you start the car.

[@somestuffithoughtyoumightl6985]

Great, maybe now Tesla will be forced to fix that blinding crap they put on the front of their cars!

[@lukeclifton4392]

This technology including its varying iterations has been around for ages. However one company has always had the solution, it’s been used in classrooms and theatres for years and it’s only recently been featured in Mercedes headlights… the Texas Instruments MMD.

[@bralph82]

Headlight fluid is going to be a real thing. Clown world.

[@walterwhite1]

GREAT MORE JUNK TO BREAK 🙈

[@das42k]

First?

[@ChristophHoward]

Yep

[@RadBunny2269]

If you thought headlights are expensive now 😅.

[@TheNaiv69]

in the UK, if this stops me being blinded by new car headlights im all for it

[@miles5600]

It’s already been available in the UK for like a decade now.

[@chadthomas7820]

Ong

[@Kerleem]

Finally, the US is coming out of the stone ages with new headlight technology that has been available in Europe for years. Now, if we can just get all of the other old crappy US vehicle regulations up to date, that would be great.

[@miles5600]

Like convex mirrors and taking out the orange reflectors

[@kdadam]

FYI - its nothing new, just US regulations did not allow that, for years in EU, proven technology, even in mid-tier vehicles already. I can imagine that some high class vehicles sold in US already have this technology, just blocked in SW

[@BillB33525]

My '21 Audi eTron has Digital Matrix headlights but they are not active. US rules on brightness are lower than EU so Audi has to reprogram the supplied headlights.

[@nolannosike]

Ong. He said “wait for the first few model years to work out the bugs” after he already told us it’s been overseas for years. Does he think bmw eu is gonna gate keep from bmw usa??

[@zipfotoproductions2934]

Luckily in Switzerland, this tech is unrestricted - and works really well. Occasionally I'll get a flash from an oncoming driver due to my lights probably not recognizing them - but 90% of the time it's voodoo magic!!

[@PaulHo]

In practice, I get that everything is illuminated except the other driver, but does that mean they're just black? They're not lit with anything and you're just relying on their taillights?

[@zipfotoproductions2934]

It does split the beam entirely and it does a type of curve lighting for corners.. It makes a gap so the incoming drivers don't get blinded but for the car in front traveling in the same direction it just dips down. (Audi matrix)

[@gvibanhez1]

What about pedestrians and the sort?

[@zipfotoproductions2934]

My matrix only kicks in in non built-up areas, which are 80kmh and above.. I've never seen a pedestrian in these areas so not sure what it does. (Don't drive heaps at night)

[@PaulHo]

@@zipfotoproductions2934 that is so funny that we're talking about your headlights and you don't even drive at night much.

[@heinzdelf]

Just another way for the industry to RIP you off with CRAP that will break down easier (motors and sensors in your headlights) how often do you have to service your headlights.. GTF OUT HERE

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Are they really smart being soooo expensive on repairs ? 🤔

[@jdoe120]

Living in a rural area, you can tell the next headlights, the new tech changes to late for oncoming traffic and constantly flickering when driving in mountain. Good for no one on the road but we live in a wold with people. The techs not good enough yet

[@Ucfahmad]

Assuming you live in the US, you have never seen this tech before because it’s been illegal. The tech has been available in Europe for years, and is quite good. My assumption was that they would be blinding and untrustworthy until I saw them for myself. These aren’t like aftermarket BS you see on peoples souped up trucks. They are regulated and mandated to perform to a certain standard. So they don’t “kinda” work. They WORK,

[@jdoe120]

@@Ucfahmad so you assume everything? I’m not in the US and never been… classic keyboard simpo they work as good as your emotional level of intelligence… they don’t work and have years before the tech is better

[@MikeNovelli]

A) sensors malfunction. Like regularly malfunction and need repair/replacement B) There are times when a driver would like to control the lights themselves C) saying that "binary" [which it's not because there are actually 3 states: High, Low & Off] causes people issues because their eyes need to adjust and pretending a variable light would eliminate that issue is false as variable would cause there to be significantly more levels of adjustment needed. Instead of the 2 in your [false] "binary" it will have far more 'adjustments' required.

[@MikeNovelli]

No one needs to drive around with high beams on ALL THE TIME dude! Maybe in rural less populated areas with neglected roadway infrastructure, but there's these things called street lights/lamps that do a great job of lighting the roadways for the most part. Hence sometimes seeing people driving around forgetting to even turn on their lights. .... Next you're gonna call for street lamps to become "variable" as well?....

[@walterwhite1]

More junk that we dont need on our cars

[@danharold3087]

@@MikeNovelli Mike. We all view things based on our experiences. The US has almost 4 million miles of highways. Generally illumination is only used in urban and other select areas like intersections. The amount of electricity to light the rest of the system would be huge.

[@RT-Roberta]

@@danharold3087 The US wastes so much electricity to turn summer into "winterized" indoors spaces through unnecessary and wasteful use of AC that some of it could into proper lighting of roads and streets.

[@danharold3087]

​@@RT-Roberta Given the choice between AC and more lights on the road AC wins every time. The cost of installing the lighting might be the large factor too. There are roads with so little traffic that lighting it is unrealistic. I don't expect anyone who lives in a urban area to understand this.

[@kvr9951]

Quite old tech already in Europe as i have had this in my VWs and Audi's when it came out in 2020.. now its laser lights that are more powerful, clear and brighter without dazzling on-coming traffic...

[@robbrownfield7677]

I looked at a Volvo back in 2019 that had them. I test drove it in the dark and was not impressed. I now have them in a Subaru and they are stunningly good.

[@GorgiRO]

“Smart” headlights cant be smart enough to see every oncoming vehicle on crests and other elevation changes, I have been blinded many times by these and if i made the law id ban them. Its bot that hard to pay attention and control it yourself , its part of driving

[@spheriscope]

I'd settle for just some diffusion instead of the full blast blinding stuff coming out now. The new stuff should be illegal.

[@thegreypenguin5097]

what about AMBER TURN SIGNALS!

[@imwjamie]

This man reminds me of Gustavo Fring

[@drewsmith7726]

High beams will be the default…this means that pedestrians and bikes will be blinded by default, because there’s no way this auto dimming tech is going to detect anything but other cars.

[@robbrownfield7677]

That is already the case with manual high beams. You have to dip them when you see a cyclist etc. you can do exactly the same with adaptive. Also, as they are adaptive, they only operate when they need to, unlike high beams.

[@bradhaughton6698]

You mentioned BMW and Audi if you buy an Audi car that has a matrix headlight shouldn't that unlock that feature once that regulation is in effect on existing cars that have that feature in the US.

[@ksmusa]

good question!

[@miles5600]

Yup. By an over the air software update.

[@TheKeenTribe]

...... smart sunglasses will follow

[@DoahnKea_Tuber]

But will they Turn-On Automatically -- or, at the very least NOT illuminate the dashboard giving the driver & passengers a false impression the Headlights are ACTUALLY ON!?! It's baffling to see so many techies driving 2022 Teslas, Porches, Audis, etc without a single light in the dead of night! And don't get me started on Tesla's gratuitously blinding headlights!

[@gvibanhez1]

If you live in the countryside and a pedestrian or a cow is being dazzled by your smart beam, what do you do? Or it will recognize them? Yeah, right... If they come, it will be like ACC... always turned off.

[@vandreadparty]

Weird that Cooley didn’t mention that this regulation comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by President Biden.

[@ranyw]

Let me find some citation, but I recall that the headlamps were being removed as well as the animated lights when you locked / unlocked the car. My 22 was supposed to have a kick sensor for the trunk but they gave me an iou coupon to have installed retroactivly.

[@sallycostello4325]

Why have LED headlights at all? It's like having flashlights in your eyes to destroy your retinas. And I have yet too see the visual area like what's depicted in this video. You might be able to see a few feet in front of you and that's it, which is why people use brights because these LED lights are crap. And how much will this cost when a light burns out???