Matrix Headlights Fully Enabled

[tweak84]

Anyone know of a place near Milwaukee/Chicago that could do this?


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[jmy_oak]

PSA of sorts…

Someone obtained the code Sam has been using and distributed it to everyone in a WhatsApp chat for free…I’ll reserve judgement on that behavior. However, they then recommended that people take the code to their DEALERSHIP to have it installed/updated.

At least one dealership flagged this ask to AoA. No idea what result will be. But I’m surprised it has to be said that you shouldn’t be asking your dealership to update your car with stolen code that provides functionality currently illegal In the US.

If you are too cheap to pay Sam to have this done, don’t do it. But don’t ruin it for everyone else. AoA could theoretically look for this code and shut it down.


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[rs6lover]

I am 100% agreed with you jmy_oak.

Sam told me we don't need to worry too much about it. The file distributed online was an outdated file. Any RS6s with the file will be flagged easily due to inconsistent version and region numbers. I NEVER regret paying for Sam's service. He is a great man with lots of knowledge. I felt confident when giving him access to my car remotely. Great comments above can also prove that.

Someone in the chat just trying to become a hero and ruin it for everyone else.

[OneFastBMW]

Ditto, I would happily pay Sam again for the service. He was very up front and great to work with.

I am 100% agreed with you jmy_oak.

Sam told me we don't need to worry too much about it. The file distributed online was an outdated file. Any RS6s with the file will be flagged easily due to inconsistent version and region numbers. I NEVER regret paying for Sam's service. He is a great man with lots of knowledge. I felt confident when giving him access to my car remotely. Great comments above can also prove that.

Someone in the chat just trying to become a hero and ruin it for everyone else.

[FBAnder]

PSA of sorts…

Someone obtained the code Sam has been using and distributed it to everyone in a WhatsApp chat for free…I’ll reserve judgement on that behavior. However, they then recommended that people take the code to their DEALERSHIP to have it installed/updated.

At least one dealership flagged this ask to AoA. No idea what result will be. But I’m surprised it has to be said that you shouldn’t be asking your dealership to update your car with stolen code that provides functionality currently illegal In the US.

If you are too cheap to pay Sam to have this done, don’t do it. But don’t ruin it for everyone else. AoA could theoretically look for this code and shut it down.


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Oh lawdy. Hope no one that has paid/pays gets hosed as a result.

[Corgiman30]

Oh lawdy. Hope no one that has paid/pays gets hosed as a result.

Wonder if this means Audi will now be looking for this whenever a car comes in for service or are the files Sam installed not as obvious?

[jmy_oak]

Wonder if this means Audi will now be looking for this whenever a car comes in for service or are the files Sam installed not as obvious?

Apparently the bootleg file doesn’t match the OS version of the North American RS cars. He said that the file we paid for (unless he notifies us individually otherwise) matches the correct OS version and would not look out of place. But I have no idea how VAG tags/identifies these things with factory scan tool. So who knows.

[MattF]

Where did Sam obtain the code? Please don't pretend Sam is some purist... He obtained the code - did not create it himself. So have others so no need for any judgements.

NO ONE told anyone to take the files to a dealership. That is a FALSE statement. The person who did take it to a dealership did that on their own (and I agree it was a dumb move).

Sam's not part of AOA etc, He's using Audi code without their authorization to make a bunch of money. Not sure that's even legal

PSA of sorts…

Someone obtained the code Sam has been using and distributed it to everyone in a WhatsApp chat for free…I’ll reserve judgement on that behavior. However, they then recommended that people take the code to their DEALERSHIP to have it installed/updated.

At least one dealership flagged this ask to AoA. No idea what result will be. But I’m surprised it has to be said that you shouldn’t be asking your dealership to update your car with stolen code that provides functionality currently illegal In the US.

If you are too cheap to pay Sam to have this done, don’t do it. But don’t ruin it for everyone else. AoA could theoretically look for this code and shut it down.


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[jmy_oak]

Where did Sam obtain the code? Please don't pretend Sam is some purist... He obtained the code - did not create it himself. So have others so no need for any judgements.

NO ONE told anyone to take the files to a dealership. That is a FALSE statement. The person who did take it to a dealership did that on their own (and I agree it was a dumb move).

Sam's not part of AOA etc, He's using Audi code without their authorization to make a bunch of money. Not sure that's even legal

There is literally a screen shot from the WhatsApp chat that says “take it to your Audi dealer and have them upload to x module.”

I don’t disagree with your other points.

*Edited to delete screenshot*

[cgk360]

There is literally a screen shot from the WhatsApp chat that says “take it to your Audi dealer and have them upload to x module.”

I don’t disagree with your other points.


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Here's a conspiracy theory thought: AOA hacked the WhatsApp post to prevent anyone from installing. But seriously, can you imagine the conversation with your dealer to ask them to install code for feature(s) that haven't been legally approved? Someone if f'ing with this and it isn't Sam.

[FBAnder]

847 is a northern IL/Northern Chicago metro area code. Downloading random ZIP files off the Internet? "Hey guys! Download this ZIP and use this really long password which makes it looks super legit and run all the files in it, then do the same for every Windows computer in your house, then at your work then go to the dealer and ask them to plug the laptop you ran the files on into their network and install the file into your dance-party module in your A5 and enjoy!!!". Yeah, nope.

[Ace22]

My understanding is Sam is working through a third party, who does have the rights and purchase agreement with Audi. Not sure about the "ton of money" thing, but it seems appropriate for what they are doing. Sam's a standup guy.

[71camaro]

The guy who "made the files available for free" is the same guy who supposedly had the carbon twill trims from the press cars that were "lost in customs." Now, if he had the trims, that means he has a relationship inside Audi, since Audi disassembled and scrapped the press cars. However, it's odd for random console trims to get lost in customs, so he might also be FOS. either way, I'll trust Sam based on my communications with him over this other guy, who hasn't delivered properly on anything, and now has Audi aware that the Matrix programming is out there.

[Corgiman30]

I guess part of this will depend on how OCD the dealer is. Sam did tell me the file for the ‘22s is slightly different.

[GlazierGlaze]

Guessing the 847 number went to Audi Exchange in Highland Park (services that area code region) - those guys don't fuck around with anything and are incredibly by the book. No wonder AoA is now aware.

[71camaro]

Guessing the 847 number went to Audi Exchange in Highland Park (services that area code region) - those guys don't fuck around with anything and are incredibly by the book. No wonder AoA is now aware.

No, it's PeterDNA on Instagram. He was on Facebook C8 groups bragging he had shared the coding.

[Corgiman30]

No, it's PeterDNA on Instagram. He was on Facebook C8 groups bragging he had shared the coding.

Maybe we can all send him a bill if Audi turns off our matrix lights.

[MattF]

There's not a chance AoA would support nor approve of this.... not a chance Audi would be okay with some random guy using their software to update cars that are not legally allowed to have matrix lighting (in the USA)

My understanding is Sam is working through a third party, who does have the rights and purchase agreement with Audi. Not sure about the "ton of money" thing, but it seems appropriate for what they are doing. Sam's a standup guy.

[rs6lover]

The point is I don’t really care about how and where Sam or the guys behind him get the file. I only want to use the matrix function from the owner’s perspective.

That’s all!!!

There were no issues at all until stupid shared the files and ask people to go to dealers…


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[The_Capt]

The point is I don’t really care about how and where Sam or the guys behind him get the file. I only want to use the matrix function from the owner’s perspective.

That’s all!!!

There were no issues at all until stupid shared the files and ask people to go to dealers…


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I just hope this isn’t a watershed moment for RS6 owners.

A strong majority of ‘21 owners I know of across US have enabled the matrix functionality (albeit not using this bogus file version mentioned above) and would hate for AoA to come down hard on warranty related matters bc of some apparent moron who seriously thought to bring a thumb drive to a dealer with this request.

I’m befuddled, lol.


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[Corgiman30]

I just hope this isn’t a watershed moment for RS6 owners.

A strong majority of ‘21 owners I know of across US have enabled the matrix functionality (albeit not using this bogus file version mentioned above) and would hate for AoA to come down hard on warranty related matters bc of some apparent moron who seriously thought to bring a thumb drive to a dealer with this request.

I’m befuddled, lol.


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Yikes. Hadn’t thought about getting the car flagged because of this. That said we’ve enabled a factory installed feature on one system. I’d be hard pressed to see how they could then generalize that to the rest of the car but AoA has a mind of its own.

[rs6lover]

Yikes. Hadn’t thought about getting the car flagged because of this. That said we’ve enabled a factory installed feature on one system. I’d be hard pressed to see how they could then generalize that to the rest of the car but AoA has a mind of its own.

Sam told me not to worry about it since the file we got was NA version file :)

I don’t really care about what Audi says… the matrix saved my life in the dark

[Mysta]

Does this file in some form work for A6 AR as well? TBH last year the US passed the law requiring it to be allowed within 2 years, just waiting on Pete B to pass it then it would just be on dealers to enable. But tbh i'd pay to have it enabled earlier.

[CanAutM3]

Does this file in some form work for A6 AR as well? TBH last year the US passed the law requiring it to be allowed within 2 years, just waiting on Pete B to pass it then it would just be on dealers to enable. But tbh i'd pay to have it enabled earlier.

I doubt, the RS6 has a different headlight arrangement than the A6/S6. It is shared with the RS7.

[jzmrs7]

Does this file in some form work for A6 AR as well? TBH last year the US passed the law requiring it to be allowed within 2 years, just waiting on Pete B to pass it then it would just be on dealers to enable. But tbh i'd pay to have it enabled earlier.

IMG_0089.jpg
Here is a list of what Sam offers. We are here in NC and set up with Sam to do remotely for anyone interested.


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[scsu]

Does this file in some form work for A6 AR as well? TBH last year the US passed the law requiring it to be allowed within 2 years, just waiting on Pete B to pass it then it would just be on dealers to enable. But tbh i'd pay to have it enabled earlier.

It's more than "just waiting on Pete B". The agency has to go through the normal rule making process. Once initiated it can go quickly (not including the waiting periods) if there's no opposition. If opposed things can get bogged down fast, especially if the opposition is well funded or popularly known. I'm not tracking this and the process may have started.

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[Corgiman30]

It's more than "just waiting on Pete B". The agency has to go through the normal rule making process. Once initiated it can go quickly (not including the waiting periods) if there's no opposition. If opposed things can get bogged down fast, especially if the opposition is well funded or popularly known. I'm not tracking this and the process may have started.

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The approval has been in process for some time - years. Last I checked they are hung up on how to evaluate the performance of the lights.

[sdlos]

https://apnews.com/article/coronavir...399b9676ae44bb

DETROIT (AP) — Anyone who has ever been temporarily blinded by high-beam headlights from an oncoming car will be happy to hear this.

U.S. highway safety regulators are about to allow new high-tech headlights that can automatically tailor beams so they focus on dark areas of the road and don’t create glare for oncoming drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it issued a final rule allowing what’s called “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles. It will go into effect when published in the Federal Register in the next few days.

The headlights, commonly used in Europe, have LED lamps that can focus beams on darkness such as the driver’s lane and areas along the roadside. They also lower the intensity of the light beams if there’s oncoming traffic. Camera sensors and computers help determine where the light should go.

“This final rule will improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by making them more visible at night, and will help prevent crashes by better illuminating animals and objects in and along the road,” the agency said in a news release on Tuesday.

The new rule, which was supported by the auto industry, comes as the safety agency grapples with a dramatic rise in traffic deaths nationwide.

Sam Abuelsamid, principal mobility analyst for Guidehouse Research, said the new lights will show up in higher-cost luxury vehicles at first, but will spread to more mainstram vehicles as the price of the technology falls.

Currently Audi charges $3,000 for the top version of the lights in the U.S. on its e-tron Sportback electric vehicle. The adaptive beam lights are offered on most Audi models in the U.S., but until now, could not be used. An Audi spokesman says the company is evaluating whether the lights meet NHTSA standards and whether they can be activated in the future.

The technology uses an array of light emitting diodes that can change where light beams are sent, rather than the current technology of high beams hitting everywhere. “You have the ability to basically create a light pattern on the fly that is optimized for real-time conditions,” Abuelsamid said. “You can cast the light where it’s most useful.”

The new lights also will help partially automated driver assist systems keep cars in their lanes and avoid objects in front of the vehicles at night, Abuelsamid said.

The new lighting regulation also comes more than 1 1/2 years ahead of a requirement in the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress last year, NHTSA said.

In the past the agency has moved slowly on safety measures mandated by Congress. An Associated Press review last year of NHTSA’s rule-making activities under the last three presidents found at least 13 auto safety rules that are years overdue based on deadlines set in laws passed by Congress.

[gopherblue]

C'mon, Audi! Enable full functionality!

[Corgiman30]

For those who had maneuver assist enabled has it done anything other than brake? Never had a steering input.

[sdlos]

I've only had braking (bringing the car to an abrupt stop).

[iambenjackson]

C'mon, Audi! Enable full functionality!

This TSB from July makes me hopeful that they will: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...99491-0001.pdf

Specifically, this language:

The current headlight aimer does not have the capability to adjust matrix high beams.

While the Matrix Beam functionality is turned off pending NHTSA approval, a dummy value can be written as the
angle calibration value.

Prior to activation of the feature, the Matrix Beam system will be recalibrated with the correct adjustment values.

[rs4-380]

A strong majority of ‘21 owners I know of across US have enabled the matrix functionality

The RS6 owners you know do not represent the total population of US RS6 owners. While this may be more common in certain circles it is NOT a common thing in the general population.



Also, I find it laughable that people think that their questionably obtained and grey-area installed file is somehow more 'legit' then another questionably obtained and grey-area installed file just because they paid for it. Trust me, Audi doesn't look at it any differently, in fact, the paid process may be frowned upon MORE because someone is profiting off of it.

[FBAnder]

This is good news! I really hope Audi enables this feature and quickly...hopefully OTA-able but I would gladly take my RS6 in to get this feature set up. I, like many others, did not go through an alternate route to get this function enabled.

[gpoulos]

This is good news! I really hope Audi enables this feature and quickly...hopefully OTA-able but I would gladly take my RS6 in to get this feature set up. I, like many others, did not go through an alternate route to get this function enabled.

Same. I have been patiently waiting for the law to change. Hope Audi can update this asap.


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[Blevay]

Same. I have been patiently waiting for the law to change. Hope Audi can update this asap.


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Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Audi just flipping the switch for existing vehicles once the law is changed. I see it more as a prospective update, but ask my wife...I'm always a pessimist.

[monugs]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Audi just flipping the switch for existing vehicles once the law is changed. I see it more as a prospective update, but ask my wife...I'm always a pessimist.

The question for me is, where does this fall in Audi's priorities? They know they've shipped vehicles with this feature disabled, and dealers could potentially charge to re-enable or provide this service at no-cost for customer satisfaction/retention. However, I expect someone at Audi has to write the process, get it approved through various levels of corporate oversight, then push it out to the dealerships.

So, while they could choose to enable this feature for existing customers, what is the real motivation for doing so and is it worth their effort? The fact that they have already written the related TSB, as shared by @iambenjackson, gives me hope that it will happen eventually.

[MattF]

Agree - there's noting in it for Audi to retrofit this....

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Audi just flipping the switch for existing vehicles once the law is changed. I see it more as a prospective update, but ask my wife...I'm always a pessimist.

[CanAutM3]

Agree - there's noting in it for Audi to retrofit this....

Except for an excellent PR exercise. Audi's Matrix headlight tech is one of the best out there. Might as well showcase it.

[19_hole]

All the code exists, as I expect do the instructions, as they are fully enabled on EU region cars. I should be an easy thing for them to do, but then again there is the corporate red tape.