One of the most noticeable restrictions placed on FSD (Full Self Drive) in Tesla vehicles is the repetitive nag the screen will give you to keep your hands on the steering wheel. It doesn’t matter how long you have been driving or using the feature. If you don’t keep your hands on the wheel, it will begin to nag you to apply force to ensure you are still there and paying attention. Something that may change next year.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, responded to a recent tweet today that touched on this very idea. Twitter user “Whole Mars Catalog” posted a tweet saying “Users with more than 10,000 miles on FSD Beta should be given the option to turn off the steering wheel nag”, in which Musk responded with “Agreed, update coming in Jan”.
Agreed, update coming in Jan
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 31, 2022
Meaning the company may already be working on an update to do just that. Unless he actually responded and then quickly texted someone at the company with “Get it done!”. Regardless, users may find this coming next month.
That being said, Musk has been known for making promises that don’t quite happen (or, at least, don’t happen for some time). At the same time, he has been known for making promises that do indeed roll out to Tesla owners. So it could very well be coming.
The question is, is it a good idea? This restriction is what helps keep people safe on the road until these cars are completely autonomous and approved by both consumers and the authorities to be reliable and safe. One could easily assume that the loss of this restriction may lead to certain drivers relaxing their awareness.
What do you think? You can take to the comments below to share your own opinions on the matter. Is this a great idea for drivers who have been practicing safe driving for an extended period of time? Or will this detour their effort because they will feel less supervised?
1 Comment
I have mixed emotions about this one. I have been riving a Tesla for about two years now. The “nag” does get annoying, especially when your hands ARE on the steering wheel. It just doesn’t always detect them properly. At the same time I appreciate what the nag is trying to achieve. So mixed emotions.