Elon Musk’s statements at the recent Tesla shareholders’ meeting have sparked controversy, particularly regarding a potential future update for the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. During the meeting, which also saw approval of Musk’s unprecedented $1 trillion compensation package, Musk indicated that allowing drivers to text while in FSD mode could be implemented within one or two months.
Currently, Tesla’s FSD allows for hands-free driving under certain conditions but requires drivers to remain attentive and periodically interact with the steering wheel. The system is equipped to detect handheld device use during Autopilot engagement, triggering warnings on the touchscreen display.
Musk’s suggestion that text messaging could become permissible within FSD directly contradicts these existing safety measures. This proposed change comes on the heels of Tesla introducing its new “Mad Max” mode for FSD subscribers, a feature characterized by increased speed and more assertive lane changes – a development that already prompted scrutiny from federal investigators.
This potential shift in Tesla’s approach to driver interaction with the system raises serious concerns. The vast majority of U.S. states (along with numerous cities and counties) explicitly prohibit texting while driving, recognizing its severe safety risks. Only Montana currently lacks an outright ban on this practice.
Furthermore, Musk has a history of exceeding ambitious timelines for his products, particularly those involving autonomous driving capabilities. His previous pronouncements about drivers napping behind the wheel by 2019 and the imminent arrival of robotaxis in 2019 have not materialized as predicted. The delayed launch of Tesla’s limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, this year further underscores this pattern.
Given these factors, Musk’s claim regarding texting within FSD warrants cautious skepticism. Regardless of development timelines, the potential for integrating such a distracting activity into an advanced driver-assistance system presents significant ethical and safety challenges that require thorough examination and rigorous testing before consideration for public implementation.
