Tesla is getting closer to bringing adaptive headlight functionality to its North American vehicles. Adaptive headlights, long available in Europe and other parts of the world, are designed to enhance nighttime visibility improve safety by automatically adjusting to oncoming traffic.
Adaptive headlights rely on matrix LED technology, which splits the light beam into multiple, individually controlled segments. This allows the headlights to selectively brighten, dim, or deactivate specific segments in real time based on road conditions and the proximity of other vehicles.
Essentially, these headlights can “mask out” certain areas of light and keep the road ahead fully illuminated without blinding oncoming drivers or those in front, a notable advantage over traditional high beams.
Tesla introduced matrix LED headlights several years ago, progressively rolling them out across their entire lineup. In Europe, Tesla owners have already begun receiving adaptive high-beam support through recent software updates. North American customers, however, have been patiently waiting for the feature’s release.
While Transport Canada approved adaptive headlight back in March 2018, Tesla hasn’t enabled them in Canada, likely for ease of standardization with the US. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only approved the technology in 2022, however the high regulatory standards set by FMVSS 108 in the US, which dictate how headlights should function, has slowed Tesla’s release of the technology in North America.
After several updates that the company was continuing to work towards receiving regulatory approval, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, said on the weekend the company is now “almost there” in terms of completing the feature’s release.
Almost there @DBurkland
— Lars (@larsmoravy) October 25, 2024
If you are wondering if you have the original or newer matrix headlights in your Tesla, simply look for the large round bulb on the outer edge of the headlight housing. If you have these, you have matrix headlights.
