[moesess34]

So, I was watching a video on the Rivian refresh.
They mentioned that we can basically have adaptive lights enabled in America now. Is this true and is bmw going to enable this for all of us with laser lighting in our ix’s? 😆😆

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by moesess34

So, I was watching a video on the Rivian refresh.

They mentioned that we can basically have adaptive lights enabled in America now. Is this true and is bmw going to enable this for all of us with laser lighting in our ix’s? 😆😆

I was thinking the same thing. I think Mercedes and Tesla now have this as well. I wish BMW would get off their butts!! IIRC, they need to get some complicated testing done with the NHTSA in order to get certificated. Argggh!!!

[Paladin1]

"Adaptive" as a term for vehicle headlights has come to mean many things - BMW used the term to mean (in the US) self-leveling and steering-following among other things. It has not historically meant true "matrix" lighting that actually "adapts" around leading and approaching vehicles as it has in Europe for years. Matrix lighting became legal for US autos in November 2021 when the CFR was signed into law, following a petition by Toyota in 2013 and a regulatory battle in the NHTSA after the proposed rule change in 2018. The main sticking point in the law was a 1967 rule (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108) that required high and low beams to have separate lighting elements, which matrix lighting does not. For those technically curious, the final approval came with passage of H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Final Rule in 49 CFR Part 571: https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...pment-adaptive.

With all of the above, for a vehicle to have matrix lighting (called now Adaptive Driving Beam Headlamps) in the US, it still must go through the NHTSA process of having approval requested (for a specific vehicle or specific system), be submitted for approval, and be approved. Assuming Rivian has done that for any of their particular vehicles, yes, they can have matrix lighting installed that meets the requirements in the CFR. BMW, to my knowledge to date, has not done that, nor has any other manufacturer selling their cars in the US, including US manufacturers, but that could change daily.

[NomoTesla]

Tesla just enabled full matrix capability in a recent software update. Say what we will about Tesla, but they sure are on top of things when it comes to software and enabling the latest features. This is where they run rings around everybody else. Those iX owners who are on 8.5 will probably get matrix at some point. Those of us on 8.0 are probably screwed.

Sadly, I saw all of the iX' matrix lighting goodness in different videos but neglected to realize that those videos were all done in Europe where matrix lighting is enabled. I stupidly assumed this would work everywhere. Lesson learned.

[Paladin1]

To clarify, Tesla has updated this capability via software in some European models (Model 3, Model Y) - not yet in the US (at least as of today). BMW and other manufacturers already had it in Europe. BMW - and other manufacturers, including Tesla - can presumably do the same thing in the US, when and if they fulfill all the US requirements (there is still some question about lumen standards between the EU and US), more particularly since this capability already exists in the cars and is decoded from the factory for US models.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

To clarify, Tesla has updated this capability via software in some European models (Model 3, Model Y) - not yet in the US (at least as of today). BMW and other manufacturers already had it in Europe. BMW - and other manufacturers, including Tesla - can presumably do the same thing in the US, when and if they fulfill all the US requirements (there is still some question about lumen standards between the EU and US), more particularly since this capability already exists in the cars and is decoded from the factory for US models.

Tesla's software update 2024.20 started rolling out to vehicles last week which includes support for adaptive/matrix in USA.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Tesla's software update 2024.20 started rolling out to vehicles last week which includes support for adaptive/matrix in USA.

Any reports of same from actual users? With a link? Because that's not what Tesla EU is saying. Coming to the US - soon. "Soon" undefined. Would be interested in seeing an actual review of a US vehicle by a US owner, not hack coded. Good news if true for the US.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Any reports of same from actual users? With a link? Because that's not what Tesla EU is saying. Coming to the US - soon. "Soon" undefined. Would be interested in seeing an actual review of a US vehicle by a US owner, not hack coded.

I'm still on 2024.14.9. I can update if I get another OTA and if it includes matrix headlights.

[Paladin1]

Confirm that Tesla has not received regulatory approval to activate Adaptive Driving Beam Headlamps technology in any of their US models. To my knowledge, they have not yet even initiated or submitted a formal request for evaluation and approval to the NHTSA, although that could again change daily and may have. Nor has any other US auto manufacturer or importer, to my knowledge, including BMW. There are two possible reasons for this in my view: 1) they are still selling cars in the US without it, and 2) none of their competitors has proceeded with the process either. Should Tesla pursue this for their US models (as they have for Europe, Australia and elsewhere), that might start the dominoes, so for us BMW owners a good thing.

And there seems to be some confusion as to what adaptive full "matrix" lighting actually is for some owners, and to clarify, self-leveling, terrain following, or steering-following headlight beams is not it, whatever it may be called. Matrix lighting automatically adjusts the high beams around and above, vertically and horizontally, to oncoming and leading vehicles, lighting the roadway and adjacent areas and avoiding blinding drivers in vehicles in front of the light source, whether advancing toward the light source or retreating from, with beam-splitting technology. Tesla's current software update for US models activates steering-following adaptive lighting only (curve-following), similar to BMW's historical definition of "adaptive" headlights. Something many US vehicles already do.

From Tesla Wire:

Headlight improvements featured in the upcoming 2024.20 update depend on the headlight technology of your Tesla and your location. Here are some clarifications:

✅ Matrix LED headlights:
1️⃣ If adaptive headlights are already enabled in your country (Europe, Australia, etc.):
• Your headlights will adapt to the curves of the road
• Your headlights will illuminate more when driving on a highway
➞ Improved Vertical & Lateral Adaptive Headlights
2️⃣ If you’re in the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or South Korea:
• Your headlights will adapt to the curves of the road
➞ Lateral-only Adaptive Headlights
3️⃣ Anywhere else:
➞ No improvements with this update
❌ No matrix LED headlights:
➞ No improvements with this update

[LuisBoston]

Another thread devolving into a Tesla thread. Spare me.

[Paladin1]

You're spared - read no further. However, to the point, once an auto manufacturer activates matrix lighting on a US model, that could well be the impetus for the rest of them to fall in line and do likewise - a la NACS. Somebody has to be first, Tesla or otherwise, and since the majority already have the built-in capability, I would expect the lead to be short. Sort of like every car having a NACS port, just none of them activated. As the owner of a couple of iXs, I'm cheering Tesla on for this one.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

You're spared - read no further. However, to the point, once an auto manufacturer activates matrix lighting on a US model, that could well be the impetus for the rest of them to fall in line and do likewise - a la NACS. Somebody has to be first, Tesla or otherwise, and since the majority already have the built-in capability, I would expect the lead to be short. Sort of like every car having a NACS port, just none of them activated. As the owner of a couple of iXs, I'm cheering Tesla on for this one.

From what I understand it is a damned tedious process to go through, in that a manufacturer such as BMW not only has to demonstrate that the ‘Active Matrix’ headlights are compliant for say the iX line, but then has to do so for every single model they sell in the US that they wish to activate full Active Matrix on. In other words, even if the headlights are the exact same headlight in more than one model, BMW would have to go through testing and validation, etc. for each model!

Completely ridiculous!

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by thebishman

From what I understand it is a damned tedious process to go through, in that a manufacturer such as BMW not only has to demonstrate that the ‘Active Matrix’ headlights are compliant for say the iX line, but then has to do so for every single model they sell in the US that they wish to activate full Active Matrix on. In other words, even if the headlights are the exact same headlight in more than one model, BMW would have to go through testing and validation, etc. for each model!

Completely ridiculous!

That is correct. And it might not be just a matter of coding (see the reference to lumens) - it could actually require hardware changes. I haven't read the CFR in its entirety, but it's sufficiently daunting that BMW (and everyone else) has possibly decided it's not worth it - yet. The US lawmakers could just say it's all good as long as vehicles meet Euro NCAP standards (which they do), but that's not going to happen. The NHTSA is actually supportive (at last), but getting the Final Rule passed in the CFR was an accomplishment in itself, and took several years (actually just a couple of years or less once written, which is light speed for the Feds, having done this a time or two myself).

I'm optimistic we'll eventually see it in US cars - there's some inertia behind it politically now - but I wouldn't hold my breath until it happens. If a US-based manufacturer like Tesla bit the bullet and started the ball rolling we could see some helpful regulatory amendments in the future, but nothing useful is going to happen the rest of this year (any guesses why?), and next year will be legislative chaos until the dust settles and someone picks up the flag for this particular cause. Optimistic, but guarded as they say....

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

That is correct. And it might not be just a matter of coding (see the reference to lumens) - it could actually require hardware changes. I haven't read the CFR in its entirety, but it's sufficiently daunting that BMW (and everyone else) has possibly decided it's not worth it - yet. The US lawmakers could just say it's all good as long as vehicles meet Euro NCAP standards (which they do), but that's not going to happen. The NHTSA is actually supportive (at last), but getting the Final Rule passed in the CFR was an accomplishment in itself, and took several years (actually just a couple of years or less once written, which is light speed for the Feds, having done this a time or two myself).

I'm optimistic we'll eventually see it in US cars - there's some inertia behind it politically now - but I wouldn't hold my breath until it happens. If a US-based manufacturer like Tesla bit the bullet and started the ball rolling we could see some helpful regulatory amendments in the future, but nothing useful is going to happen the rest of this year (any guesses why?), and next year will be legislative chaos until the dust settles and someone picks up the flag for this particular cause. Optimistic, but guarded as they say....

I don't understand why it's so damned hard to get the latest headlight tech here in the US. The same situation applies to laser. Europe had them first and the US lagged behind. It still lags behind as headlights here have to be less bright than headlights there. WHY? Are the humans there different than the humans here? Yes, probably, when it applies to the politicians.

Back in the 80s the US fiercely resisted the change from sealed-beam units to kind of headlights we see today. The rest of the world had them for years before the US finally allowed headlights that were not sealed-beam units.

Ridiculous.

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

I don't understand why it's so damned hard to get the latest headlight tech here in the US. The same situation applies to laser.

Because NHTSA is just a collective gaggle of regressive idiots.

And it is not just headlights. NHTSA represses other safety and technology advances.

[ubercruise]

The US from a regulatory perspective tends to be slowwwwwww compared to the rest of the world. FDA works in a similar fashion for pharmaceuticals/biologics. The rest of the world will have approved and implemented things for years before the US is even able to start compliance efforts.

[Paladin1]

Red taillight lenses vs amber lenses. No, European cars are not inherently less safe than US cars, nor are European drivers - in fact, given what I've seen of American drivers and the usually lengthy and expensive process to get a license in Europe, I'd venture to guess the reverse. The problem is the law-making process in the US, and the legislative tribal-ness that goes with it. True everywhere, but we in the US have refined it to an art form.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Red taillight lenses vs amber lenses. No, European cars are not inherently less safe than US cars, nor are European drivers - in fact, given what I've seen of American drivers and the usually lengthy and expensive process to get a license in Europe, I'd venture to guess the reverse. The problem is the law-making process in the US, and the legislative tribal-ness that goes with it. True everywhere, but we in the US have refined it to an art form.

Believe it or not, having an amber/yellow turn signal is one of my top wants in a car. I have been known to reject perfectly wonderful models because they did not have an amber turn signal. In my mind it's a basic safety thing and if they can't get that right, well...

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Confirm that Tesla has not received regulatory approval to activate Adaptive Driving Beam Headlamps technology in any of their US models. To my knowledge, they have not yet even initiated or submitted a formal request for evaluation and approval to the NHTSA, although that could again change daily and may have. Nor has any other US auto manufacturer or importer, to my knowledge, including BMW. There are two possible reasons for this in my view: 1) they are still selling cars in the US without it, and 2) none of their competitors has proceeded with the process either. Should Tesla pursue this for their US models (as they have for Europe, Australia and elsewhere), that might start the dominoes, so for us BMW owners a good thing.

And there seems to be some confusion as to what adaptive full "matrix" lighting actually is for some owners, and to clarify, self-leveling, terrain following, or steering-following headlight beams is not it, whatever it may be called. Matrix lighting automatically adjusts the high beams around and above, vertically and horizontally, to oncoming and leading vehicles, lighting the roadway and adjacent areas and avoiding blinding drivers in vehicles in front of the light source, whether advancing toward the light source or retreating from, with beam-splitting technology. Tesla's current software update for US models activates steering-following adaptive lighting only (curve-following), similar to BMW's historical definition of "adaptive" headlights. Something many US vehicles already do.

From Tesla Wire:

Headlight improvements featured in the upcoming 2024.20 update depend on the headlight technology of your Tesla and your location. Here are some clarifications:

✅ Matrix LED headlights:
1️⃣ If adaptive headlights are already enabled in your country (Europe, Australia, etc.):
• Your headlights will adapt to the curves of the road
• Your headlights will illuminate more when driving on a highway
➞ Improved Vertical & Lateral Adaptive Headlights
2️⃣ If you’re in the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or South Korea:
• Your headlights will adapt to the curves of the road
➞ Lateral-only Adaptive Headlights
3️⃣ Anywhere else:
➞ No improvements with this update
❌ No matrix LED headlights:
➞ No improvements with this update

I received 2024.20.1. It only says that headlights will now adapt to curves in the road. They call that adaptive headlights.

[NomoTesla]

Tesla is rolling out its adaptive headlight functionality in stages. They recently added lighting in curves. My guess is that they will enable the greater matrix capabilities over time.

[RichardInCA]

FYI there’s a thread about this on the G60 forum - it looks as though we have reports of successfully coding the anti dazzle matrix lights on an i7 and an i5 now. Seems unlikely that there wouldn’t be a way to do this on the iX.

https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2077820

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Believe it or not, having an amber/yellow turn signal is one of my top wants in a car.

For some reason, BMW has stubbornly refused to change now that Mercedes, Audi and VW have changed to rear amber turn signal for their newer models.
Instead they give us the awful dim on/off turn signal mimicking incandescent lights.