That does sound like an improvement.

Still, from a very cursory bit of reading it seems that these are designed to detect other vehicle headlights only. How about pedestrians and cyclists (or even motorcyclists)? I'm really not convinced that these sorts of technical solutions are the best way to address the problem (in the same way that forward and reverse cameras - while helpful - aren't a proper solution to good old fashioned line of sight).

The only way to block line of sight is to erect a wall in the middle of the road so I'm not sure what you want. Pointing the lights is a tradeoff between seeing in front of you and shining the light on other people who are in front of you.

There's no reason matrix headlights can't block light for any reason, the Teslas and other ADAS systems see bikers and pedestrians so I don't see why that wouldn't be possible.

From their demonstration videos, I don’t think Tesla has proven particularly adept at detecting pedestrians.

And I don’t know that they’ve shown this for pedestrians on the pedestrian path, at distance, at night.

Tesla's can "see" humans, cyclists, cars, etc, independent of the headlights.

It's possible that this awareness is what's used as input for the matrix headlights. Either entirely, or in coordination with detecting oncoming headlights.

I'm confused about your mention of technical solutions. What would a non-technical solution look like?

I don't think it is that smart - matrix headlamps have been around for ages in "dumb" (albeit luxury) cars for years and years in europe

And they are awful, a significant number do not detect my (old) car, let alone pedestrians, cyclists and horses

> What would a non-technical solution look like?

Something like ensuring that headlights are lower. I'm not against technical improvements, but I think that simple, less error-prone improvements should be given higher priority.

If the headlights can see you, you can see the headlights.

What about oncoming cyclists?

Pedestrians?

Lazy response. No reason that can't happen too. I don't know which systems support that. Research it and report back!

pedestrians and bikes need to be seen so they need to have light shine on them

that was my first thought too.

It's a whole different ballgame having a pedestrian blinded vs having a driver blinded. I'm not saying it's good for a pedestrian, but we have to consider the inherent risk of that vs t hem not being seen at all because the light gives no opportunity to reflect off of them.

I’ve researched it and I’m reporting back.

The answer is that the technology is advertised as not dazzling oncoming drivers only.

Further, the little explanation of the technology I could find stated it worked by detecting headlights and taillights of cars.

The remaining area will be lit with modern high-intensity beam.

Thus, I conclude that the pedestrians and cyclists will be blinded.

What do you suggest we do? Make the headlights dimmer? The current regulations seem to allow between 500-3000 candelas.

I suggest we make headlights be no higher off the ground than 2' and adjusted downwards. If your vehicle is so tall that your lights are under the grill, that's on you. People don't need to be blinded by bright white lights at eye level.

I haven't done a whole lot of research, but this [0] says

> matrix headlights, consist of numerous small LED elements and mirrors that can control a light beam in complex ways. This allows the lights to be more precisely aimed, illuminating what the driver needs to see without blinding other motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists.

[0] https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1135084_us-finally-allow...

> Thus, I conclude that the pedestrians and cyclists will be blinded.

That matches my lived experience in the UK. Not that every driver will dip for pedestrians, but matrix ones certainly don't

People playing with pogo sticks in the road?

I have used automatic highbeams in a toyota and they don’t work. They will think a sign reflected by the headlights is another car and will cut out. Just what you need to happen when you see that deer warning sign on a dark road…

I'm not talking about automatic highbeams.

But if they block for oncoming cars then they probably have the same or similar detector systems as the toyota unit I demoed.

They don't work. All the time I see what looks like flashing as the "clever" automatic headlight tries to work out if I'm there or not. Countless times I've had someone driving behind and hogging the lane to the right of mine and have their full beams shining through my mirrors. Moving into the same lane in front of them causes their headlights to dip, but I shouldn't have to do this (especially because being in that lane is against the highway code).