Directionally Adaptive Headlights
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A lighting technology that gives the driver the ability to "see around corners". The lighting pattern of the headlights can change depending on the amount of steering input and the speed of the vehicle.
There are two basic types of directional headlight systems at the moment:
- A fixed lense/bulb is located either within the headlight housing or integrated into the front corner of the vehicle in some way. The light will turn on or off as needed based on the steering and speed inputs.
- The bulb housing is motorized and will physically swivel with the movement of the steering wheel, deciding how far and how fast to turn based on the driving inputs.
Some vehicles combine both types, with the fixed bulb supplementing the motorized headlights at lower (city) speeds.
This type of cornering light should not be confused with turn-signal activated static cornering lights that have been in use for many years. Although the adaptive lights can (and some do) activate with the turn signal at low speeds.
Availability
The modern directionally adaptive headlight technology was first introduced to the North American market for the 2003 model year on the Porsche Cayenne (fixed bulb) and the Mercedes E-class (motorized). Since then it has spread out amongst 14 brands (Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, Saab, Volkswagen and Volvo) and will likely trickle down market in the coming years.
History
Swiveling headlights date back to the 1948 Tucker sedan which was equipped with a third middle headlight connected directly to the steering linkage. The 1967 Citroen DS introduced swivelling headlights to Europe, though US regulations required this system to be deleted from those models when sold in the USA.
