According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tesla will no longer let users to play video games on their cars’ built-in displays while driving. The NHTSA recently announced an investigation into the feature, which will include the evaluation of over half a million cars.
This change, which will be included in a software update, comes on the heels of the NHTSA announcing an investigation into the feature, which will include the evaluation of over half a million cars.
We were able to play a couple Tesla Arcade games while the car was driving when The Verge tried the function, called Passenger Play, earlier this month. A message appeared on the screen, stating that only passengers are permitted to play while the vehicle is in motion, as well as a button to confirm that the player is a passenger.
Nothing, however, prevents a motorist from hitting the button and playing a game while on the road. According to The New York Times, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety stated that “no case can be made that [the function] isn’t risky.”
The NHTSA said in an emailed statement that Tesla notified them it will modify the feature. “The Vehicle Safety Act bans manufacturers from selling cars with flaws that pose unacceptable hazards to safety, including devices that distract drivers from driving properly,” according to the statement from the agency.
Over the last year, the regulator has been paying close attention to the manufacturer. After Teslas slammed into parked emergency cars many times, the company launched an inquiry into its autopilot technology. It’s also been publicly questioned regarding the company’s Full Self Driving Beta, which was given out based on a “safety score” and came with an NDA at first.
