Tesla Being Investigated Over Its ‘Passenger Play’ Gaming Feature

One of the interesting and kind of odd features in Tesla’s cars is the ability to play games via the dashboard. The feature is called Passenger Play and was originally only playable while the car was stationary and in the parking position, but over the summer, Tesla pushed out a questionable update that allowed games to be played while the car was moving.

We get it, maybe Tesla wanted to give passengers another way of entertaining themselves while being driven around, but at the same time, what was stopping the driver from playing the games themselves? So much so that the NHTSA has since announced that they will be launching an investigation over the feature.

According to the agency’s preliminary evaluation, “The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on certain model year (MY) 2017 – 2022 Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles based on reports that Tesla gameplay functionality, which is visible on the front center touchscreen from the driver’s seat, is enabled even when the vehicle is being driven. This functionality, referred to as “Passenger Play,” may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.”

Whether or not Tesla will get into trouble over this will depend on the investigation, but the company has yet to respond to the investigation.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Gaming, Transportation
Tags: electric cars;legal, Self-Driving Cars, Tesla