Adaptive Headlights

 

Image credited to Fix Auto USA

    Assalamualaikum and good day. Nowadays, there are lots of technologies created in the automotive industry. In this blog, I'm going to share one of the technologies created which is the Adaptive Headlights. 

    Driving in the dark is dangerous and half of most accidents happens at night, dusk or dawn. Adaptive headlights are one of the assistance system that can help to prevent accidents in those situations. Adaptive headlights is one of the valuable technology that helps driver see better especially under adverse driving conditions. They expand the driver's range of vision, particularly when turning or cornering. The adaptive headlights is commonly known to better illuminate the driving environment compared to traditional headlights, allowing you to see more at night or in low-light conditions. 

What are Adaptive Headlights?

Image credited to Carlist.my

    Adaptive Headlights is an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that changes headlight position based on steering wheel movement and vehicle speed. The headlights pivot from side to side to improve visibility on dark and curvy roads. Adaptive headlights can be incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, or newer LED or high-intensity discharge (HID) lights. 

    Unlike traditional headlights, which are in a fixed position and only capable of illuminating directly in front of you, adaptive headlights are not in a fixed positions at all times. They use electronic sensors that can detect your steering angle to swivel based on the direction your car is heading.

How do Adaptive Headlights work?

Image credited to BabyDrive

    While the term adaptive headlights can include many systems and capabilities such as adapting to lighting conditions, road conditions and vehicle position, the most common thing known by many is curve-adaptive headlights. These are the headlights that turn with steering wheel movement. 

    To pivot in the direction of travel, adaptive headlights adjust according to steering wheel movement. They move as much as 15 degrees to the side to illuminate around corners and curves. This gives them just a 30-degree range of motion to pivot from left to right.

    Some curve-adaptive headlights also change the bulbs' angle in relation of speed. As speed changes, the headlights point more up or down, casting light closer or further down the road.

Why are Adaptive Headlights important?

    By pivoting approximately 15 degrees, drivers may be better able to see objects just outside of their normal range of vision, which can allow them a faster response time. For those who regularly drive at night, these headlights may be a smart investment. 

    Adaptive headlights can save the day, or at least prevent an unwanted encounter with pedestrian or animal, potentially saving lives and reducing insurance claims. 

    It is also important to note that adaptive headlights don't just make your driving experience safer, but also benefit other motorists on the road and pedestrians. Let's say, when you turn around a bend on a darkly lit road, but that time an upcoming car is headed your way. As you round the curve, standard headlights would temporarily blind the other driver. With adaptive headlights, this won't happen because your beam stay level with the road instead of shining a bright light intrusively on an unsuspecting driver. 

Who offers Adaptive Headlights?

Image credited to Motor1.com

    Luxury brands routinely offer adaptive headlights, although the name of the adaptive headlight may differ by brand. But nowadays, many mainstream vehicles have adaptive headlights too. Subaru, Toyota, Honda and others are among automakers that include adaptive headlights even on some entry-level models. Below is the name of adaptive headlights by some manufacturers:

• Porsche: Porsche Dynamic Light System (PLDS)
• Chevrolet: Intellibeam
• Genesis: Adaptive Cornering System (ACS)
• Lincoln: Adaptive Pixel LED Lighting
• Lexus: Adaptive Front Lighting System
• Mercedes Benz: Intelligent Light System
• Volkswagen: Dynamic Light Assist or Dynamic Cornering Light
• Mazda: Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
• Ford: Auto High-Beam Headlamps
• Subaru: Steering Responsive Headlights

    Finally, we've reach to the end of the Adaptive Headlights explanation. As I stated on my previous blog, I understand that some of you may find it difficult to understand about this blog. Which is why, I provide a video from MyCarDoesWhat on YouTube so you could understand on how the Adaptive Headlights work better. I hope this video helps.

Here is another video on how BMW Adaptive Headlights work from bmwcorpaffairs on YouTube.

    As we have now reached the end of this blog, we can conclude that the Adaptive Headlight is a very good technology as it can save lives and more. The Adaptive Headlights could be a game-changer for drivers who approach driving with the seriousness that it deserves, and who employ safe driving practices whenever they step into a car. By increasing visibility at night and in low-light conditions, adaptive headlights represent an evolution in automotive technology that has the potential to make roads safer, reduce accidents and save lives. 

    I really hope you gain much information with new knowledge from my blog. Feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions or proposal in the comment box below. Kindly follow my blog for more information on Technology in Automotive.

That is all from me, drive safe and drive smart!

References/Source

• https://www.fixautousa.com/blog/what-are-adaptive-headlights/
• https://www.parkers.co.uk/what-is/adaptive-headlights/
• https://www.motortrend.com/features/get-lit-adaptive-headlights-tech-work/
• https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/finding-the-right-car/what-are-adaptive-headlights/1421
• https://caradas.com/understanding-adas-adaptive-headlights/
• https://mycardoeswhat.org/safety-features/adaptive-headlights/