Porsche Announces New Matrix Lighting System
Matrix headlights didn’t become legal in the United States until early in 2022 after automakers and enthusiasts waited almost a decade for the NHTSA decision. Europeans have enjoyed the technology for years, and automakers have had time to refine their designs. We’re starting to see second-generation LED matrix lighting systems hit the market, including a new one from Porsche.
Porsche already uses matrix lighting tech in its vehicles, moving away from the single high beam matrix system to a new setup that uses two separate units for each headlight. Autocar reported that each individual unit features 16,384 LEDs, with a combined 65,546 “pixels” for the high beams. That’s a massive improvement over Porsche’s current system, which offers 168 pixels between the two headlights.
The new lighting system will provide better illumination of the roadside and works with a windshield-mounted camera to “block out” parts of the light beam. The vehicle also uses navigation, traffic, steering, and other data to determine where and how to project the light. One significant benefit of Porsche’s new system is glare reduction, as the lights help prevent reflection on signs and road surfaces.
Matrix headlights’ individual “pixels” allow them to shut down portions of the light beam to prevent blinding other drivers and pedestrians. They also help better illuminate specific parts of the road, such as the sides on single-lane roads and road markings when there is oncoming traffic.
[Image: Porsche]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
Can't wait to see the replacement cost for a damaged headlight in a system with over 16,000 LED's per unit!
Naw, I want an option to make them twinkle during the holiday season.
Which TV car show will put two sets of these on a truck? One in the grill, the other on the roll bar. Diesel Brothers or Texas Metal?
"Matrix headlights’ individual “pixels” allow them to shut down portions of the light beam to prevent blinding other drivers and pedestrians"
Oh dear lord these have been needed for the past ten years.