Tesla continues to add matrix headlights to their vehicles
@Jojje167/Twitter
Tesla Model X is set to receive matrix headlights, an advanced lighting technology already present in some Model S, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles. With the possibility of software support coming soon, this development has piqued the interest of Tesla enthusiasts.
Models Supported
Matrix headlights have been implemented in some Model S, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles for a while now, but the software to fully utilize their capabilities is not yet active. Currently, these headlights only offer the special ability to project the word 'Tesla' during the light show easter egg.
Software Support Release: A Glimpse into the Future
Although matrix headlights have been present in select Tesla models for some time, the software to support their full functionality has not been released. However, the fact that Tesla is now adding these advanced headlights to the Model X suggests that software support could be coming soon. At the very least, it indicates that Tesla remains committed to matrix headlights and plans to develop software support for the technology.
What Are Matrix Headlights?
Matrix headlights let your car turn on and off individual LEDs
Lighting Manufacturer
Matrix headlights, also known as adaptive headlights or intelligent headlights, are an advanced automotive lighting technology designed to improve nighttime driving safety and visibility. They consist of multiple LED elements or individual light sources that can be controlled independently. This fine control allows the system to adapt the light distribution pattern based on factors such as traffic conditions, road curvature, and the presence of other vehicles.
The primary benefit of matrix headlights is their ability to selectively dim or deactivate specific LED elements to create "shadows" or dark areas in the beam pattern. This helps avoid dazzling oncoming drivers or those in front of the vehicle while maintaining optimal illumination of the road ahead. For example, when an oncoming vehicle is detected, the system will adjust the light pattern to prevent the high beams from shining directly into the other driver's eyes. The rest of the road, however, remains well-lit, ensuring clear visibility for the driver.
Matrix headlights are also capable of adapting to different driving situations, such as:
Cornering: When the vehicle turns, the headlights can swivel or adjust the beam pattern to light up the road around the curve, improving visibility and safety.
Highway driving: On highways, the system can activate high beams and optimize the beam pattern for maximum reach and visibility without causing glare for other drivers.
City driving: In urban environments, the headlights can focus on illuminating pedestrians, cyclists, and potential obstacles while minimizing glare for other road users.
These intelligent lighting systems are often integrated with other vehicle sensors, such as cameras, radar, and GPS, to gather information about the driving environment. The headlights can then dynamically adapt to the road conditions and traffic, providing the best possible lighting for each situation.
Matrix headlights significantly improve nighttime driving safety and visibility by intelligently adjusting the beam pattern based on various factors. This advanced technology helps to minimize glare for other drivers while ensuring optimal illumination of the road, leading to a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
Tesla Community Buzz
A source confirmed the addition of matrix headlights to the Model X last week, and now the news is making waves on Reddit and Tesla forums. For example, one Reddit user noted that the difference between non-matrix and matrix headlights in the 2022 Model S Plaid is substantial, with much more even beams and sharper cutoffs. Another user highlighted Tesla's strategy of having the hardware ready and then releasing a software update later as a "gift" to keep customers excited.
The matrix-headlights have a total of 208 diods (LED)
102 inside the projector lens which is used for both low and high beam. Those lights up the tesla-logo in the new light show.
Tesla recently launched software update 2025.8.3, which included a bunch of “minor updates.” Nestled away in the release notes are a couple of interesting features - including some major changes to the Energy App.
We’re not quite sure we’d call these minor updates, so let’s take a bit of an exploration of the revitalized Energy App.
The Energy App has received some new categorization features in the Consumption tab. You can once again limit the graph by distance. As part of the 2024 Holiday Update, Tesla redesigned the consumption tab and brought it to the new Model S and Model X for the first time. However, with the redesign, Tesla removed the ability to choose the distance shown in the graph, instead providing a static display of the last 200 miles (300km).
The first part of the improved Energy App is bringing back this distance filter. You can now choose between showing the last 10, 100, or 200 miles (15, 150, or 300 km). This differs from the previous available distances of 5, 15 and 30 miles, but brings back the ability for the driver to choose a distance that may be more applicable to how they’re driving.
We’d love for Tesla to introduce custom distances by pinching and zooming the graph or simply add the ability to choose “This Drive Only” to the list of available distances.
Reset Energy App History
@EV3_Model3 on X
Sadly, the “Instant Range” button that was available in the Energy App before is still not available, but Tesla introduced a new feature that may be even better. You can now clear your driving history so that the graph only reflects your current driving style.
This is a little hidden, but if you tap the little info icon at the top near your average Wh/mi, you’ll now be presented with a dialog that lets you clear your history.
This could be useful if you’ve just come from some hard driving on a track or off-road, where energy consumption could be exaggerated. It could also be useful if you just started towing or a different type of driving that is drastically different from your current driving.
Other Changes
In addition, it looks like future predictions of the Energy app now take into account your driving history and apply that in addition to expected vehicle consumption, weather, altitude, and the multitude of other factors that your Tesla constantly takes into account while calculating your expected range.
While these are smaller improvements to the Energy app, they added some important functionality, as it helps users better understand their vehicle consumption and display data that is more applicable to the current driving style.
This is a great example of Tesla listening to its customers and bringing back features they had previously been removed. Check out the video below by akide on the updated Energy app in update 2025.8.3.
Sandy Munro once again had the opportunity to chat (video below) with Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, as well as Franz Von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief of Vehicle Design. This time, rather than focusing on the improvements to the refreshed Model Y and all the new engineering behind it, the focus was on Tesla’s autonomous ambitions.
In this case, the Cybercab and Robovan were the key highlights, with a distinct focus on the Cybercab. With that all said, let’s dig into all the fun new stuff. You can check out the entire video at the end of the article.
Cybercab Unboxed Process
The Cybercab will be the first of Tesla’s vehicles to use their new unboxed assembly process, which builds vehicles in parallel sections, and then brings them together all at once for final assembly. Traditionally, vehicles are assembled from the ground up, and sometimes even disassembled for parts of production to take place.
This innovative method involves using a big rear and front casting, brought together by a structural battery pack on the floor. The door rings are hot-stamped and laser-welded to form the side shell of the Cybercab, resulting in a very rigid structure that can also absorb crash impacts due to its unique manufacturing.
Paint-Free Panels
We’ve already talked about the Cybercab’s unique paint-free panels, but we’ve never heard until now exactly how Tesla intends to manufacture them. Tesla will inject colored PU plastic onto the backside of another plastic part (formed from various processes) and then ultrasonically weld that entire piece to an inner part.
That essentially combines multiple parts into one smooth piece that is easy to repair - because all you have to do is remove the entire panel - it just comes off as the interior fasteners are removed. There is no subframe holding it together - instead, the subframe is part of the panel.
The only area of the vehicle that will have any paint will be the hot-stamped door rings - which will be painted to improve corrosion resistance to protect the steel.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamically, the Cybercab boasts the largest aero-cover-to-wheel ratio of any Tesla vehicle. This updated aero cover improves efficiency, even with the Cybercab’s relatively large tires—chosen to reduce rolling resistance. Interestingly, the impact of unsprung weight on efficiency is minimal compared to the benefits of improved rolling resistance and aerodynamics.
Another key to the aerodynamics is the teardrop shape of the Cybercab itself. With its low profile and smooth shape, it is extremely aerodynamically efficient. While neither Sandy nor Lars delved into drag coefficients, we expect it will likely be more efficient than the Model 3’s already fantastic Cd of 0.219.
Range and Battery Pack
Tesla currently has prototypes undergoing real-world testing at Giga Texas to evaluate range and efficiency. The goal is to ensure the vehicle can operate throughout an entire day in the city before returning to charge.
Tesla is targeting a battery pack under 50kWh, delivering close to 300 miles of real-world range—an impressive efficiency of around 166Wh/mi, even outperforming the Model 3’s lowest at 181Wh/mi.
When Does It Arrive?
So, with all that new knowledge - when does the Cybercab arrive? Well - the prototypes for the June Robotaxi network deployment in Austin are getting prepared now - but Tesla expects to begin production and sales sometime in the first half of 2026.
![Tesla Updates Energy App in Update 2025.8.3: Adds Reset and Distance Filter [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2025/updated_energy_app.jpg/979943fb17df5ae4e9fa668b8cd61fca/updated_energy_app.jpg)
![A Look at the Tesla Cybertruck’s Crumple Zones [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/cybertruck/cybertruck-crash-test.webp/e43ef2433bd6e44ae8db63421604a4fb/cybertruck-crash-test.jpg)
