BMW Adaptive LED Headlights - US Falls Behind Again
 

Intelligent headlight technology. [VIDEO]

Excellent overview (and great music to go along with the show) of BMW's new intelligent LED headlight system. Of course, they are illegal in the US due to NHTSA rules, since European introduction in 2012. Under the U.S. regulation, headlights are not allowed to shine in such a dynamic way (how dare they!).

Audi's next-gen LED headlights hit Washington speed bump

Audi is doing similar designs and has met similar roadblocks to implement them. So what's next? Lasers? Why yes, Audi is pursuing that too. However, bureaucracy raises it pointy little peabrain head again because before laser headlights or tail lights can become a reality, government officials will need to decide whether a laser diode counts as a "light emitting diode" for regulatory purposes. How to ahem "focus" on what really matters first.....:rolleyes:

What was the original law concerned about when it made these illegal?

...something majorly important I'm sure , but here is what rules exists today and makes things the way they are...for better (unlikely) or for worse (inevitable).

Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration