2014 Audi A8 Facelift Matrix Headlights Teased

Audi’s Matrix Headlights

These headlights are made up of a 25 high beam light emitting diodes (LEDs), that are arranged in a set of five per reflector. When in automatic mode, the LEDs activate according to the speed of the car. With the high-beam set to ON, the system comes into effect at 30 km/h on highways and 60 km/h in urban areas.

Audi’s Matrix Headlights

Audi says, its Matrix LED headlights produce a quality of light that has a "special crystalline sheen". These are also said to provide a distinctive look during daytime, in conjunction with the new daytime running lights.

How it works

The usefulness of individual LEDs are made obvious when the system kicks in. A built in camera in the car, connected to a control system, detects pedestrians and vehicles in front of the car. Individual LEDs are immediately instructed to dip, to reduce the light falling on a particular area. The precision offered by the use of several LEDs is such that, the light beam is turned off or dimmed in the exact spot where the oncoming traffic is, while the rest of the LEDs continue to shine with full power around the subject. The closer an approaching vehicle gets, the more LEDs are deactivated or dimmed.
Thus, the person or vehicle coming towards you is saved from the glare, while you are left unaffected in anyway. The LEDs turn back on automatically, once the on coming traffic has passed.

Additional Function

Audi's Matrix LED headlights function as "marker lights". This safety feature works when teamed up with the optional night vision assistant. When the system detects a pedestrian within critical distance, the LEDs flash directly at them three times in succession, alerting the driver as well as the pedestrian to each other's presence.