Watch CNBC’s Report on How Headlights Became So High-Tech

Last month we took an in-depth look at why U.S. regulators can’t keep pace with headlight innovation. Blame it on our own jealousy that projector headlights and adaptive driving beams are legal in other parts of the world. Or simply see it for what it is — U.S. headlamp regulations are leaving us far in the dust. Auto enthusiasts crave the type of innovation that’s occurring today, and nothing hurts worse than watching it happen abroad.

Why wouldn’t the birthplace of automotive revolution be able to legally manufacture the most high-tech headlamps in existence?

Consensus: we’re hanging on to light legislation thats undergone few amendments in the last 60 years. That said, there is less likelihood a law passed in 1960s could carry us through the technological innovation that exists in present times. Car manufacturing has evolved in ways where technology and artificial intelligence now drive historic change, particularly in the safety department. This detail is something lawmakers could not have predicted back then, which further highlights the need for reform.

As passionate as we are about modernized headlight regulations, there is no denying the mechanical triumphs that have occurred over the years. The history of headlights is clearly marked by humble beginnings, but their utility far surpassed manufacturers’ original intent. The following CNBC feature gathers a group of automotive experts to explain how headlights have become the keystone of automotive safety.

CNBC’s report on how headlights became so high-tech

CNBC recently released a feature on headlight safety and the integral steps that led to headlights becoming so high-tech. What certainly started as an afterthought feature has become the paradigm of car safety in recent times. Now, automakers are earning top safety awards for models thanks to the inclusion of quality headlights. Even so, there is still room for improvement.

David Aylor, Manager of Active Safety Testing Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, states, “Unfortunately about half of the fatalities on US roads occur at night or in low light scenarios where better headlights could be effective.” This reality emphasizes the importance of headlight innovation and perhaps the need for better easement of current guidelines. The most recent pledge has been to incorporate adaptive driving beams, which still remain illegal in the U.S. despite national advocacy.

Watch the video below to fully grasp the common problems associated with headlights. More importantly, learn how headlights became so high-tech in a short period of time. On top of this, you’ll see what lies ahead for the headlight revolution, for better or for worse.

Why adaptive driving beams are a resolve to current setbacks

After watching the clip, it’s evident to see that headlight innovation is in an era of transformation. The integration of LEDs allowed vehicles to improve visibility on the road. But the adoption of adaptive driving beams will take safety to the next level. These high-tech headlamps remain the missing piece of the puzzle on U.S. roadways, even taking headlight glare into account.

To read more about the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS108) and its setbacks on headlight innovation in the U.S., check out our recent post this automotive topic.