- Tesla may add two-stage dimming to its matrix headlights.
- The update targets glare from reflective road signs at night.
- Matrix LEDs can already shadow vehicles with high beams.
Tesla’s matrix headlights appear poised for another update, this time targeting one of the lingering annoyances of adaptive lighting. Specifically, the change could address reflective road signs that flare up too brightly in a driver’s field of view.
Matrix LED headlights have become a familiar sight across the industry, a technology Audi introduced more than a decade ago. Instead of a single blast of light, they use multiple individual elements that can selectively shade out oncoming traffic when high beams are active. They can also mask the car you are following, allowing the beam to bend around it rather than dazzle the driver ahead.
Read: Too-Bright Headlight Debate Heats Up, But Data Points To A Deadlier Threat
Tesla switched on its matrix functionality via a software update in 2024. Now, a user on X has dug into an upcoming release code and uncovered a hidden feature labeled “matrix_two_stage_reflection_dip.” The original post has since been deleted, which only adds to the intrigue.
Two Stage Dimming For Reflective Surfaces
Based on that description, it appears the updated Matrix headlights would do more than simply switch individual lighting segments on or off. They would also dim them in two stages, adding a layer of finesse to how the beam is managed. That should make a difference when it comes to reflective road and traffic signs, which have a habit of lighting up like a camera flash when caught full-on by high beams.
There’s no indication as to when this update will launch, but it doesn’t appear to require any hardware modifications. This means the new feature should be rolled out as part of a routine over-the-air software update and will no doubt be appreciated by Tesla owners, particularly those who do lots of highway driving in poorly-lit areas.
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For many years, car manufacturers have been unable to introduce advanced Matrix headlight technology in the US due to outdated regulations. However, Tesla confirmed earlier this month that it is on the verge of being able to offer its Matrix LED lights across all of its models in the States soon.
