Tesla has enabled adaptive headlights for the new Model 3
m.jr.88
Tesla has introduced adaptive headlights to its new Model 3. This feature is part of the latest software update, version 2024.2, which has been released to Tesla employees.
Update: We now have our first video of the new adaptive high beams in action. X user m.jr.88 posted a video (below) of his new Model 3 with update 2024.2 that enables the new adaptive high beams feature. If you pay close attention to the video, you can see the high beams dim and brighten in certain areas.
Adaptive Headlights vs Matrix Headlights
A recent leak of European documents revealed that Tesla was getting ready to enable the adaptive headlights in the new Model 3. Matrix headlights, which feature many LEDs that can be turned on and off individually, let the vehicle manufacturers light or dim certain portions of the road, resulting in high beams being on longer and leading to better visibility. However, the new Model 3 appears to have a slightly different implementation than Tesla’s previous matrix headlights, although it’s not immediately clear how or why. Tesla is using the term adaptive headlights in the new Model 3 instead of matrix headlights.
Tesla’s previous matrix headlights could feature more LEDs, as evidenced by their special effects like projecting the Tesla logo during light shows (video below). The new adaptive headlights could have fewer pixels to turn on and off, which may lead to an easier implementation.
Software Update 2024.2
Tesla’s 2024.2 update enables the adaptive headlights on the new Model 3 according to German user dracon on the TFF Forum. At this point though, it’s not clear which regions will receive the new adaptive headlights support. Tesla will sometimes only enable bigger changes in specific regions before making them available world wide. Due to the amount of regulations around headlights, there could restrictions on where Tesla can enable their implementation of adaptive headlights.
The release notes (translated from German), state that “The high beams now adjust to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists.”
“By detecting other road users and selectively dimming individual pixels of the headlights, the high beams can remain on longer, enabling better visibility at night.”
“To turn it on, go to Lighting > Adaptive High Beam in your vehicle settings.”
The 2024.2 also adds security improvements according to the release notes.
No Matrix Headlight Support Yet
In December 2023, Tesla received approval from European authorities to utilize adaptive headlights on the new Model 3. It appears that this will be exclusive for the new Model 3 for now. We confirmed that this update, was has been released in various regions, has not enabled matrix headlight support on a vehicle that includes them.
Tesla started added matrix headlights to some of their vehicles in 2021, but the functionality has yet to be enabled. In May 2023, Tesla added matrix headlights to the Model X, so it appears that they still plan to enable support for this headlights at some point in the future, at least as of mid-2023.
As the first deliveries of the Highland Model 3 are expected in North America this month, whether the adaptive headlights will be included in these vehicles remains to be seen.
Here is the kicker: I thought highland does NOT have Matrix LED lights. From the images I can see I do not see a projector lens. Might be a reflector-projector combination with a hidden lens to have a smaller appearance.
FSD’s insatiable appetite for AI compute is taking shape once again at Giga Texas, where Tesla is building out Cortex 2.0 — its second large-scale GPU supercomputer cluster — on the facility’s north side.
This confirmation comes thanks to the detailed research and findings by Giga Texas drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer, who shared his findings on X.
For months, there has been some speculation on what this new site would be - new storage, the Optimus production line, preparation for the Cybercab’s unboxed assembly process, and more. Now, thanks to permits filed by Tesla, we know that this new area is destined to become the second supercomputer destined for FSD training.
Cortex 2.0
There are some key details we can unpack from what we’ve learned about Cortex 2.0. The new facility will be on the north side of Giga Texas, opposite Cortex 1.0, which is on the south side. The permits explicitly tie the usage of this expansion to Cortex 2.0, namely through the fact that it is a data center.
This is actually a change from Tesla’s original plans - the northern section was intended to be used as a central campus support facility, with three smaller facilities and water storage tanks. Now, it has been redesignated as Cortex 2.0 and is one large structure.
The permits that have been filed have already been approved and cover the foundations, underground water mains, and building itself. The steel structure is actively being put together on the concrete foundations, and about 50% of the roof decking is already complete, bringing the exterior shell closer to completion.
Fueling FSD’s Brain
The deployment of Cortex 2.0 is the latest in Tesla’s massive and ongoing investment in the computational power required to train FSD. While this primarily covers FSD for cars, this will also eventually apply to Optimus, which is powered by the same AI4 computer and also runs a variant of FSD.
This isn’t Tesla’s first foray into large-scale AI infrastructure and won’t be their last. Alongside Dojo, their home-grown AI supercomputer, Tesla has been partnering closely with Nvidia to ensure they have the GPUs necessary to do all the hard work. Cortex 2.0 is the next iteration, and once it's fully online, we can expect that Tesla’s work on FSD will accelerate even further.
Especially since Elon is planning something truly outrageous once again:
Been thinking about the fastest way to bring a terawatt of compute online.
That is roughly equivalent to all electrical power produced in America today.
With European Tesla owners eagerly awaiting any news on FSD in Europe, we’ve seen Tesla tease FSD, and also point out exactly what the barrier has been - regulatory approval. Now, following the latest meeting of UNECE, new regulatory amendments are set to unlock “System-Initiated Maneuvers” (SIM) on highways across participating European nations.
This development, highlighted by Kees Roelandschap on X, notes that the latest documents from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) center on amendments to UNECE regulation 171. These changes were formally adopted into UNECE during the WP29 World Forum in March 2025.
Now, the amendment that will enable SIM will come into force on September 26, 2025. This six-month period after approval is standard UNECE procedure and allows objections from party states that would halt the implementation. Objections to UNECE amendments are genuinely rare, with 95% of amendments passing without objection once the World Forum adopts them.
What This Means for FSD in Europe
System-initiated maneuvers will allow your Tesla to perform actions autonomously, such as changing lanes on a highway, while the driver remains fully responsible for supervision. This is a substantial step up from current regulatory standards that only allow for suggested maneuvers or require explicit driver initiation for every automated maneuver.
This inches towards the more normal “hands-off, eyes-on” approach that Tesla has taken with FSD Supervised in North America and China. This regulatory change will help to provide the legal frameworks needed to deploy more advanced autonomy capabilities in Europe, at least matching what’s available on highways in North America.
The UNECE regulation will apply to all countries that adopt its standards, including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea - unless they specifically block it. This is a relatively positive development, but there are some hiccups.
This regulation only allows for system-initiated maneuvers on highways, not low-speed roadways. That means the city streets portion of FSD’s capabilities - including handling ‘Start FSD from Park` and reaching your destination’s parking spot - still won’t be available in Europe.
In addition, the UNECE framework has stricter requirements for driver monitoring and attentiveness - which means that some nags, including the dreaded wheel nag, are likely to remain a key portion of the experience.
Progress on autonomous driving regulations in Europe has been fraught with indecision and caution, which has been a source of frustration for many who are watching the everyday progress of FSD in North America, and more recently, in China. Even with individual countries recently approving testing of FSD on public roads, harmonized UNECE regulations are the key to wider, consistent deployment, which will allow everyday customers to use it as well.
While the path to full parity with North America may be long and involve even more regulatory machinations, the upcoming implementation of System-Initiated Maneuvers is a big step forward for Tesla owners in Europe. It is a key piece of the puzzle that will help Tesla bring some more features of FSD to Europe, assuming the September timeline holds.
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