During the Tesla shareholders’ assembly on November 6, Elon Musk declared that the company is close to enabling texting while driving. Musk indicated that this functionality could be incorporated into the full self-driving mode in one to two months, according to Electrek.
The most notable update from the shareholders’ meeting pertained to Musk’s compensation plan. Shareholders approved Musk’s $1 trillion remuneration package, which will further enhance the wealth of the world’s richest individual. Nevertheless, the CEO’s comments regarding “texting and driving” warrant consideration as well.
In Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode (FSD), drivers can navigate hands-free, although they must stay alert and occasionally place their hands on the wheel. If drivers engage a mobile device while FSD is operational, the Autopilot system is programmed to recognize this and alert the driver.
The Tesla online driver’s manual states: “Refrain from using handheld devices while utilizing Autopilot features. If the cabin camera identifies a handheld device while Autopilot is activated, the touchscreen will display a reminder to maintain focus.”
Musk now claims that the company believes FSD has progressed to a level where drivers could shift their focus from the road to send text messages. This follows Tesla’s introduction of a new “Mad Max” mode for FSD users, allowing for increased speeds and more assertive lane changes. Launched in October, this feature swiftly caught the attention of federal investigators.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that the majority of states, along with numerous cities and counties, have regulations against texting while driving. In fact, Montana is the only state that does not impose a comprehensive ban on this activity.
Moreover, Musk has a track record of overestimating timelines for his products, especially regarding self-driving technology.
In 2017, he envisioned that drivers would be able to sleep at the wheel by 2019. Despite delays, he projected in 2019 that robotaxis would soon be ready for the roads. Tesla only rolled out its robotaxi service this year, and exclusively in Austin, Texas.