US Government May Finally Allow Us To Have Good Headlights

Awesome adaptive laser headlights are coming!

The US has a very particular set of rules governing the safety requirements of new cars. Some are well crafted and designed to make cars safer for drivers and pedestrians. Others are so draconian, it's hard to believe they are still written into law. One such example is the US's stance on adaptive headlights, which has caused our vehicles to lag behind in terms of safety.

In Europe, companies like Audi and BMW have created laser headlight technology that make for brighter lights and that can be adjusted so as to not blind other drivers. Unfortunately, this technology has been illegal in the US, so we've only received a dumbed-down version. Now, the US government may finally be changing its rules on headlights.

According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a change to its headlight rules after several automakers (led by Toyota) have pleaded for changes. The change is currently in a period of review, but if approved, it would allow automakers to install fully adaptive high beams into their cars.

Put simply, this technology can cut out and redirect light if it senses other vehicles or pedestrians. This way, the car can project the maximum amount of light at all times without blinding other drivers or pedestrians. We recently witnessed this technology on the 2019 BMW X5, but it had to be dumbed down for the US to simply deactivate the high beams completely when it detected other sources of light. BMW says the change to a fully adaptive headlight will require more than just a software change.

We hope the US acts intelligently by changing its rule. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 is the main reason why we haven't been allowed to have this technology and this rule dates back to 1967. Technology has advanced too far for us to still be relying on a rule created 50 years ago. This will be a welcomed change to US automotive safety rules. Now if we could just do something about our stupid 25-year import restriction.

Automakers Are Helping Chinese Government Monitor Every EV On The Road

Big Brother is watching Chinese EV drivers.

Ever get the feeling that someone's watching you? Well they very well may be. Especially if you're driving an electric vehicle in China.

According to the Associated Press, quasi-governmental agencies in the so-called People's Republic are tracking alternative-energy vehicles through a variety of parameters, including their location, make, model, mileage, and battery-charge levels... all in real time. But the information isn't being obtained covertly. It's being provided by their manufacturers – both domestic automakers and by foreign automakers (like Tesla, General Motors, and BMW) that are eager to do business in the country.

Data collected by the automakers is transmitted to local monitoring agencies like the Shanghai Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting, Monitoring and Research Center, which tracks over 222,000 vehicles (most of them electric passenger cars) in Shanghai. The stated purpose is to help plan infrastructure requirements and to enhance public security. But the data is shared with a national monitoring center in Beijing, and can be shared with law enforcement on request.

“The government wants to know what people are up to at all times,” said Maya Wang, senior China specialist at Human Rights Watch. “Tracking vehicles is one of the main focuses of their mass surveillance.”

Though some foreign manufacturers initially resisted sharing the information, AP reports that many have acquiesced to the requirement as the “cost of doing business” in China, one of the largest and fastest-growing market for new cars in the world.

“The automakers consider the data a precious resource,” a government consultant told AP on condition of anonymity. “They gave you dozens of reasons why they can’t give you the data. They give you dozens of excuses. Then we offer the incentives. Then they want to give us the data because it’s part of their profit.” The market for such data is estimated to be worth $750 billion by 2030.

Russian Government Gives Out BMW Crossovers To Olympic Medal Winners

Following the conclusion of the 2018 Winter Olympics, the Russian government rewards its team.

During a ceremony held last Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev presented each gold medalist with a BMW X5 xDrive30d, the silver medalists were given an X4 xDrive 30d, and the bronze winners took home the less powerful X4 xDrive 20d. Russian Olympians brought home a haul of 17 medals, 2 gold, 6 silvers, and 9 bronze medals from the 2018 games, however, they were forced to compete as Olympic Athletes from Russia instead of an actual Russian Olympic team.

This was after the International Olympic Committee officially banned the Russian Olympic Federation following a state-sponsored doping program. In total, 47 of the special white BMWs were handed out, largely due to the gold-medal winning men’s hockey team and silver-medal winning figure skating squad, who were also recipients of lavish praise from Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, in addition to their new crossovers. The cars were presented by the Russian Olympic Foundation and were supplied by BMW Russia from its facility in Kaliningrad. "We are proud that the Russian Olympians Foundation has again chosen the BMW brand as a partner of the ceremony.

“Winter sports traditionally reflect the philosophy and values of the BMW Group, and over the years the concern has sponsored sports disciplines such as biathlon, cross-country skiing, bobsleigh and luge,” said BMW Group General Director Stefan Toichert. The Russian government has gifted BMWs to medal winning athletes in the past. Controversy ensued following the 2016 summer games in Rio when one of the cars showed up for sale online just days after they were presented.