Tesla is working on support adaptive and matrix headlights in the US
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Tesla is closing in on introducing adaptive headlights to the US market. The conversation about Tesla's adaptive headlights took a significant turn on X, where Tesla executive Lars Moravy confirmed the company's efforts to bring adaptive headlight support to the US. Despite the stringent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 108) for adaptive driving beams, Tesla is "plugging away" with this ambitious project.
Expansion to China and the U.S.
Tesla rolled out support for adaptive headlights in the new Model 3 with software update 2024.2, although it’s currently limited to Europe. Moravy also mentioned the submission of paperwork for approval in China, promising a rollout "very soon". Headlights have strong government regulations that often differ from region to region, making it difficult to roll out support globally. Nonetheless, Moravy confirms that Tesla is working on supporting the feature in the U.S. He doesn’t give any hints in terms of a timeline or whether Tesla will be able to successfully meet the strict U.S. requirements, but given the importance of headlights, we’re hopefully we’ll see support soon.
We are working on it. FMVSS 108 for adaptive driving beam is pretty strick, but we’ll keep plugging away.
The matrix headlight system, which allows individual LED elements to be controlled independently, is a game-changer in automotive lighting. This technology can create "shadows" to prevent dazzling other drivers while maintaining optimal road illumination.
Following the rollout of adaptive headlight support with the new Model 3, Tesla is preparing to enable matrix headlights on all supported vehicles, including the Model Y, the first-gen Model 3, the Model S, and the Model X. As we saw with the new Model 3’s adaptive headlights, we may see these supported in Europe first, where there may be fewer restrictions.
The anticipation for supporting these headlights in the U.S. has been high, especially since the NHTSA's 2022 ruling allowing for the installation of adaptive headlights. Tesla continues its strategy to make this feature available in as many regions as possible, aligning with local market requirements and regulatory standards.
Tesla's journey towards bringing adaptive headlights to the U.S. and beyond indicates its relentless pursuit of innovation and safety enhancements. This development promises a safer driving experience and reinforces Tesla's position as a leader in automotive technology innovation, eagerly embracing the future of driving with every update and improvement.
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It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).
FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.
In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.
FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.
Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.
Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.
When Will it Be Available?
Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.
Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.
Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.
The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.
This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.
But the price is now a princely $6.90, as foretold in the prophecy 😂
Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.
So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.
That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).
Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.
A “Maturing” Service
The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.
While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.