US drivers are finally getting the adaptive headlights Europe has had for years

[ddferrari]

Where is the difference between clunky floor button and manual high-beam switch on light stick when the driver is ... distracted?

For that scenario, no there wouldn't be a difference. But this article is about automatic high/low beam systems. I use the High Beam Assist feature on my 2022 Sonata all the time. In fact, I wouldn't buy another vehicle without it.

My job frequently requires nighttime, 200 - 500mi trips on mostly unlit and undulating two lane highways. Deer crossings are a real danger here and one cannot let their guard down. High beams can make all the difference between admiring a deer vs "becoming one with it".

Having them automated is a godsend, especially after manually turning your high beams off & back on after the 100th oncoming vehicle has passed on a 6 hour drive. When you're on the road a lot, these small conveniences add up.

 

[wiyosaya]

And my mate's 1960 Morris Minor's was still working when he scrapped it in the late 80s

Sounds very good, but sadly I've never seen that behaviour from an automatic system in my experience.

It is a newer model. Maybe that is pertinent in the matter.

 

[ddferrari]

The real fix is to make headlights that are less bright, therefore less blinding to oncoming drivers and people. A driver can use the high beams when there is a legitimate need for more light, but the regular beams should be less bright.

I agree that this added technology is just more complexity that will lead to problems, bugs, failures, and very expensive repairs.

Modern LED lamps - which I can assure you every vehicle with this tech will be using - have a longer life expectancy than the engine itself. Any mechanical switch, using springs and clips and friction, will almost always fail sooner than a solid state microprocessor.

And most of the time, but not always of course, if oncoming lights are blinding you - it's because the inside of your windshield has built up a grimy little film over time. It diffuses the inbound light across the whole window. I just thoroughly cleaned my windows on the interior and it made a huge difference.

 

[trents]

Another high tech addition that will drive up the cost of automobiles even more.

 

[dmatheson]

If it's anything like the history of seatbelts, short people (women) will be screwed for 10 years until they get it right.

 

[Melkor Unlimited]

For that scenario, no there wouldn't be a difference. But this article is about automatic high/low beam systems.

Its NOT.
Automatic high-low beam switch is an old story.
Article is about Adaptive beam control.
I.e. not only high-low beam switch but preemptive bending of beam into curves, and/or modifying the high beam to not shine into other side of road instead of switching it to low (as automatic switch does for many years).

Having them automated is a godsend, especially after manually turning your high beams off & back on after the 100th oncoming vehicle has passed on a 6 hour drive. When you're on the road a lot, these small conveniences add up.

It helps a lot.
Especially when cars on the other side have them automated too.

Deer crossings are a real danger here and one cannot let their guard down. High beams can make all the difference between admiring a deer vs "becoming one with it".

Exactly.
That is where not switching high beam completely off might save ones trousers.
Or more.

 

[Melkor Unlimited]

Modern LED lamps - which I can assure you every vehicle with this tech will be using - have a longer life expectancy than the engine itself. Any mechanical switch, using springs and clips and friction, will almost always fail sooner than a solid state microprocessor.

I would agree ... if we were talking about lab environment.
Those electric parts are vulnerable to any flaws in the car electricity and/or vibrations.
Some of them may not live to the end of warranty.

And most of the time, but not always of course, if oncoming lights are blinding you - it's because the inside of your windshield has built up a grimy little film over time. It diffuses the inbound light across the whole window. I just thoroughly cleaned my windows on the interior and it made a huge difference.

Non-smokers have a little advantage here.
Do not have to clean them so often.