Audi’s Video Projector Headlights Are Finally Available on 2021 Models

As electrical motorcar become more common and less of a bangle , automobile Maker are on the Leigh Hunt for the next innovative feature to woo consumers . For Audi , that ’s the company ’s Digital Matrix light-emitting diode headlight , which twice as TV projectors to intelligently remove the route beforehand .

The DML headlights were a feature first demonstrated about a year ago , but they ’re in the end available as an pick on the 2021 Audi e - tron Sportback and e - tron SUV , although with reduced functionality in the United States until the carmaker can convince regulative bodies it ’s just as dependable , and even safe , than regular low and mellow beams .

The Digital Matrix LED headlights geminate a bright set of LED with 1.3 million micromirrors in each headlight that can adjust where they ’re reflecting and projecting the twinkle up to 5,000 clock time per second . It ’s engineering that ’s already been used in Texas Instruments ’ DLP projectors for twelvemonth now , but this is the first time the technology has been strapped to the front of the car .

Gif: Audi

But why ? Is this Audi ’s attempt to help revive the driving force - in film theater of operations experience given there ’s no end in peck for the pandemic ? No . The Digital Matrix LED headlights do n’t do coloring , but they can create animations , and if you happen to be park against a bulwark , you ’ll see the name of your fomite and the Audi logotype plan ahead of you when you start or grow off your vehicle , which Audi refers to as “ welcome and exit lighting touch . ” There are in reality five animations options to choose from , and while it certainly go like a fancy pinch for a luxury automobile , that does n’t quite seem enough to free the toll of what is undoubtedly a dear option .

On a more pragmatic stratum , the DML headlamp can project what Audi calls a tripping rug on the road out front , sort out just the driver ’s lane until they start to alternate lanes , at which point the carpet widen to illuminate both lanes at the same time . The approach limit the spread of the headlamp ’ beam so as not to dim oncoming dealings . That ’s partner off with lower beams directed to the sides of the route that can straighten out people and other hazards that may otherwise go unnoticed unless a vehicle ’s hopeful eminent radio beam are turned on .

Visible within the light-headed carpet are also a series of chevron arrows that indicate the location of the vehicle ’s tire within the lane . It can facilitate to give drivers a heads up that they ’re on naturally to make a unsafe batch pickle , or plow properly through an inauspicious pile of roadkill , giving them enough time to gently swerve out of the way . It ’s a more nuanced approach to make driving at nighttime safe , and while inclose more electronic component part does increase the chance of something breaking or going wrong ( fix a regular headlamp is as easy as just swapping in a raw bulb ) , this is a engineering that potentially profit everyone on the road , not just the person behind the wheel of their e - tron Sportback . Hopefully U.S. regulator will finally give it a chance .

Audi’s Digital Matrix LED headlights use 1.3 million micromirrors to redirect light that can be adjusted 5,000 times every second.