High-Beam Assistant

Now Implemented!

Description

Essentially, the High-Beam Assistant takes from the driver the burden to switch back and forth between high-beam and low-beam to accommodate oncoming traffic. A simple version of a high-beam assistant continues to use low-beam and high-beam and merely automates switching between them.

A more sophisticated version, sometimes called Adaptive High-Beam Assistant, leaves the high-beam on but cuts out oncoming traffic as it moves through the beam. This requires some intricate technology in the headlights to generate a moving shadow, e.g., an array of LEDs and adjustable lenses.

Competitive/Pricing/Notes

I was recently driving a base-model 5-series BMW as a rental, that was equipped with the simple high-beam assistant. It worked wonderfully and I was surprised to see it distinguish oncoming traffic from fixed lights and reflections (from signs, reflecting my own beam) without a single miss. I was also surprised by how much less stressful night-traveling was thanks to this relatively simple addition.

The simple High-Beam Assistant should come standard or as part of the Tech Package. The Adaptive High-Beam Assistant would probably warrant a paid option in its own right.

A 2013 BMW X3 offers a simple High-Beam Assistant for $1000 (which includes lane departure warning), so the estimate the price might be around $400 for the simple version.

Status

Now standard on all cars that have Autopilot hardware.

Related item: Headlamps that follow Steering Input