A US federal agency has just opened an investigation into the safety of Tesla cars. The brand immediately removed the update.
We told you about it this morning, Tesla added a new option to its in-car games a few days ago. In the latest update to its touchscreen and operating system, the brand of electric and semi-autonomous cars has allowed passengers to play in the car. But very quickly, this update launched an NHTSA investigation.
Indeed, this brand new game mode was accessible from the passengers even when the car was in motion. A good idea to pass the time during a journey, but which has very bad consequences for the safety of users. Indeed, the American road safety authority alerted the brand of this new update this week.
A very dangerous update for users
The latter can very well distract the driver when he is at the wheel, even when it is the passenger who is playing. The position of the touchscreen in the center of the car does not help the situation.
But when the NHTSA had just opened its investigation into the some 500,000 Tesla cars that are affected by this update, the Texas firm has decided to cut short the emerging controversy. In a press release, she announced that the cars were going to have a new update to end this feature.
The “Passenger play” option will therefore not be available on Tesla cars for reasons of driving safety. However, it will still be possible to play while the car is charging at a terminal. In recent months Tesla has increased the number of games to which its drivers have access during a break.
Tesla withdraws functionality, without further explanation
For his part, Tesla did not elaborate on the subject for very long. While the auto company has dissolved its press service some time ago, it has nevertheless made it known in a press release that the feature will no longer be available. A necessary change of course, in fact, US law prohibits the sale and circulation of cars with defects that present unreasonable risks to safety.
The law clearly mentions the “Technologies that prevent drivers from driving safely”. As if this line of law had been drafted for Tesla in advance.
