Audi A8 Getting Active Matrix LED Headlights Later This Year

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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has made yet another leap in LED technology and will have active matric LED headlights available in the A8Audi A8 Gen.3Germany, 2010 > present48 versions
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later this year. The technology uses individually controlled LEDs to direct light exactly where it is needed.

The new technology splits the LEDs high beams into five groups of five LEDs each with lenses able to direct them individually. A controller makes sure that all of the lights are pointing the right way. Each LED array can also be dimmed individually if the situation calls for it.

A front-mounted camera scans the road ahead for oncoming light sources. When it senses something, it dips the lights to prevent other drivers from being blinded. All of the other lights remain on. After the light source passes, the lights come back on.

In cars equipped with the night vision assist, the camera also detects pedestrians and flashes the LEDs at them if it does not believe that the driver sees them. This alerts both the pedestrian and driver.

The lenses also angle the lights when taking corners to provide better visibility.

Audi has been the leader in LED lights since 2004 when it introduced them on the A8 W12Audi A8 6.0 W12 quattroGermany, 2009 > present2 photos
, and the first car will full LED lights for high beams and low beams was the R8Audi R8Germany, 2006 > present44 versions
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in 2008. As of this year, the full LEDs are also available on the A3Audi A3 Gen.3 [Typ 8V]Germany, 2012 > present275 versions
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.