Tesla to Pull Plug on Letting Drivers Play Video Games After Federal Investigation

Isidore, Chris
CNN.com

Posted 12/23/2021

Key words and Definitions

General environment – institutions or forces outside of the organization that have the potential to impact organizational performance.

Environmental analysis – the study of the organization's environment to help identify factors that have the potential to significantly influence operations.

Environmental uncertainty – the degree of change or complexity in the organization's environment.

Summary: Key Points of the Article

Tesla informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it was changing the functionality of its "Passenger Play" feature and would now prevent drivers from playing video games on the car's touch screen while the car was in motion. The games have been available to drivers since December 2020 but "will now be locked and unusable when the vehicle is in motion." Tesla's Passenger Play feature is currently being investigated by safety regulators.

The NHTSA stated that prior to December 2020 the game was enabled only when the car was in park. The regulators believe that drivers could be distracted by the game even if the passenger was the only one playing the video game. The agency further stated that it "constantly assesses how manufacturers identify and safeguard against distraction hazards" that could lead to crashes. Tesla has been criticized for a number of Autopilot features that make it easier for drivers to not pay attention. There have been at least 11 accidents resulting in 17 injuries and one death due to drivers using the car's Autopilot mode and running into emergency vehicles responding to earlier accidents.

News Topic

#02 External Environment

Exercise 1 Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which component of the external environment is impacting Tesla according to this article?
    a. economic
    b. legal
    c. social
    d. all of these
    Answer: The legal component of the external environment includes any legislation, rules, or government mandates the organization must follow.
  2. Which of these groups or entities would be considered part of an organization's environment?
    a. suppliers
    b. customers
    c. government
    d. all of these
    Answer: All of these groups or entities are part of the organizational environment. Essentially anything outside of the organization that can impact performance is part of the organization's environment.
  3. Tesla was fined $5 million for the activation of the Passenger Play feature that allowed drivers to play video games while driving.
    True
    False
    Answer: Tesla remains under investigation but no fines have been announced for allowing drivers to use Passenger Play while driving.

Exercise 2 Critical Thinking Questions

  1. Why did Tesla decide to disable the Passenger Play feature and make it only available when the vehicle is in park mode?
    Answer: The NHTSA investigation prompted the firm to take this action. Tesla is apparently trying to avoid controversy and potential litigation over this issue.
  2. What issue might arise as a result of disabling the Passenger Play feature?
    Answer: Tesla might have unintentionally given ammunition to litigants involved in vehicle accidents where drivers were using the feature. I suspect there were some accidents that occurred over the past 12 months that can be tied to the Passenger Play feature and distracted drivers.
  3. What other vehicle features is Tesla facing criticism for implementing?
    Answer: The cars' Autopilot mode gives drivers the ability to be disengaged and not pay attention to their surroundings while driving. At least 11 car accidents involving Tesla autos hitting emergency vehicles have resulted from drivers using this feature. The NHTSA investigations over these accidents are ongoing.