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Sadik Hossain

Elon Musk promises Tesla owners can soon kick back – what does he mean?

Elon Musk has announced that Tesla vehicles will soon allow passengers to play video games while the car operates in Full Self-Driving mode. The Tesla CEO made this announcement in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, responding to a fan inquiry about the potential feature.

According to Musk’s timeline, this gaming capability during autonomous driving could become available within the next few months. However, the implementation depends entirely on receiving proper regulatory approval from local authorities in each area where the feature would be offered regulatory concerns have previously impacted Tesla’s stock price when safety questions arise.

According to Dexerto, Musk provided a specific timeframe for the rollout, stating, “Probably 3 to 6 months, depending on regulatory approval in your city and state.” The feature would only be accessible in regions where Tesla’s autonomous driving system receives full regulatory approval from local governments.

Tesla continues to push to transform vehicles into entertainment centers

This gaming announcement represents the latest development in Tesla’s ongoing effort to convert its vehicles into comprehensive entertainment platforms, as Musk continues his ambitious but sometimes controversial leadership approach across his various companies. The company has previously introduced various entertainment features, including support for video streaming applications that allow passengers to watch content while parked.

Earlier Tesla models, specifically some Model S and Model X vehicles, even included the capability to play Steam games directly through the car’s dashboard system. This feature allowed users to access PC-level gaming experiences, though gameplay was restricted to times when the vehicle was stationary and parked.

However, Tesla made changes to this gaming support in mid-2024, quietly removing Steam functionality from newer vehicle models. The newer Tesla vehicles no longer include the specialized hardware components necessary to run demanding PC-level games, marking a shift in the company’s approach to in-car gaming.

Currently, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system still requires active driver supervision, meaning a human must remain alert and ready to take control of the vehicle if needed. Musk’s comments about gaming during FSD mode suggest that Tesla is working toward achieving full autonomy, where regulatory bodies will ultimately determine when and where such features can be implemented.

The timing of this announcement coincides with Tesla’s recent launch of its first Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. This fully autonomous ride-hailing system began operations in select areas of the city just months ago, with all rides currently priced at a flat rate of $4.20.

Despite the autonomous nature of the Robotaxi service, Tesla maintains safety protocols by having a company employee ride in the passenger seat during trips. This safety oversight demonstrates the company’s cautious approach to fully autonomous operations while they continue developing and testing their self-driving technology. As Tesla expands both its autonomous transport capabilities and in-car entertainment options, features like FSD gaming represent the company’s vision for the future of vehicle experiences.

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