BMW X1 to feature automatic high-beam car lights
Written by Susannah Mayers
The 2010 BMW X1 is to feature some special car lights, it has been claimed.
Gentex revealed the SUV will be equipped with its High-Beam Headlamp Assist system.
This technology uses a tiny camera on a chip in conjunction with algorithmic decision making to increase or decrease illumination intensity, depending on traffic conditions.
Enoch Jen, senior vice-president of the company behind the system, pointed out this is not the first vehicle from the German manufacturer to feature the device.
He stated: "BMW is a long-time Gentex customer and continues to see the value of our products, as is evidenced by their increased availability on the majority of BMW models."
The car parts firm – which also creates auto-dimming mirrors – was founded in 1974.
Gentex previously announced the 2010 Vauxhall Astra is also to feature its High-Beam Headlamp Assist technology.
It suggested the use of such systems in compact models is something new for the automotive industry.
I can see the value of automatic high beam in many cases. This might be a good thing for many but one has to wonder if all this ‘automatic’ stuff isn’t taking away our need to remember the many components we need for safe driving. Not that we all can afford one of these cars anyway. But there are many built in safety features in cars that negate the need to remember to brake correctly, to slow down in the rain, and to take regular breaks when tired. We have ABS, cruise control, cornering help and so much more. How about just practicing more attentive driving?
This should be a great innovation as ar as I can tell. BMW has really done a great job on this one.
Not sure that I’m a fan of the excessive automation that you see in new cars nowadays! In making cars ‘foolproof’ they also created some extremely annoying situations. You might find that motion-sensor lights outside people’s houses turn off your high beams, or that you blind people turning out of corners in front of you because their headlights aren’t pointed at you yet. People aren’t completely inept – we can control a set of headlights!