Key Takeaways
1. The adaptive high beams feature will soon be available for the legacy Model Y in the US through an over-the-air software update.
2. The 2026 Model Y Juniper refresh will come with adaptive headlights fully operational from the factory.
3. Regulatory challenges in the US have delayed the rollout of adaptive high beams compared to European models.
4. Initial updates for legacy Model Y owners may include basic functions like automatic high/low beam switching.
5. Future updates will enhance the adaptive matrix headlight features, allowing for advanced adjustments without blinding other drivers.
Tesla’s chief engineer, Lars Moravy, has recently announced that the adaptive high beams feature, which has been available to European drivers for some time, will soon be available for the legacy Model Y in the US in “several months.”
New Features in 2026 Model Y Juniper Refresh
The upcoming 2026 Model Y Juniper refresh will come with the adaptive headlights feature ready to use right from the factory, and it has already been tested on public roads. Since 2021, Tesla vehicles have been equipped with matrix headlights that allow individual pixels to be turned on or off. However, the adaptive function has been restricted due to regulatory issues. The US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 is more stringent compared to the European regulations, meaning Tesla has to deal with more regulatory hurdles before they can enable the adaptive high beams for the legacy Model Y.
Upgrades for Older Units
For the older Model Y units that have matrix headlights, the adaptive high beams will be made available through an over-the-air software update, similar to the rollout in Europe. In contrast, the new Model Y will come with the adaptive headlights control software fully unlocked right from the factory. “When Adaptive Headlights is enabled, the beam of the headlights adjusts automatically to improve your driving view,” Tesla explains.
Real-World Demonstrations
One customer who purchased the Launch Series Model Y edition captured two brief videos showcasing the automatic high beams feature in action, giving a sneak peek of what legacy Model Y owners can expect later this year. Nonetheless, according to Lars Moravy, the initial update might only include simpler functions, like automatically switching between high and low beams when approaching other vehicles. Tesla plans to later roll out the complete range of adaptive matrix headlight features for the legacy Model Y, which will include dimming specific pixel patterns to enhance visibility while ensuring that other drivers are not blinded, as well as beam adjustments during turns.
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