After a multi-year push from automakers, NHTSA recently proposed changes to
the long standing federal laws governing headlights. For years,
NHTSA only permitted high beams and low beams in headlights.
Although some automakers offer auto dimming headlights, the beams
are limited to switching between traditional high and low beams due
to government standards.
In the European Union, vehicles are permitted to have adaptive
driving beam headlights. Adaptive driving beams such as matrix LED
lights use sensors to detect oncoming objects, and adapt the beams
to avoid projecting high beam light directly onto oncoming cars and
drivers.
NHTSA's proposal to Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108: Maps, reflective devices,
and associated equipment, proposes to "permit the
certification of adaptive driving beam head lighting systems."
According to the notice, Toyota Motor North America petitioned
NHTSA to permit manufacturers to use ADP systems. NHTSA is
proposing
