Following the launch of the NHTSA investigation due to the suspicion that its Autopilot caused a number of traffic accidents, Tesla also found itself under investigation due to its “Passenger Play” option. This option was recently introduced, and according to the Associated Press, the option will be disabled because it is against the driver’s safety regulations.
The investigation was launched by NHTSA, after which Tesla announced that the use of “Passenger Play” will be possible only in vehicles that are not in motion.
“The Vehicle Safety Act prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles with defects posing unreasonable risks to safety, including technologies that distract drivers from driving safely,” the NHTSA stated.
Software changes will be made to nearly 600,000 Tesla vehicles, such as the Model X, Model Y, Mode 3 and Model S. The “Passenger Play” option could be accessed after a security warning. But since the software could not determine if it was a driver or a passenger, it could lead to abuse.
“Following the opening of a preliminary evaluation of Tesla’s‘ Passenger Play, ’Tesla informed the agency that it is changing the functionality of this feature. In a new software update, ‘Passenger Play’ will now be locked and unusable when the vehicle is in motion, “reports the Associated Press.
Source: Associated Press