Ever since the Tesla Model 3 came to market in 2017, there’s been widespread speculation about an interior camera that’s hidden in the rearview mirror and faces into the car’s cabin.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the camera is there to support the company’s eventual robotaxi plans or even record sing-along sessions with the vehicle’s Caroake feature. But there have also been hints that the camera would be used to recognize people in the vehicle and automatically deliver personalized features.
But wait. Now, it appears the cabin-facing camera could also be used for video conferencing. Sure, why not?
Video conferencing within a Tesla will be “definitely a future feature,” Musk wrote on Twitter in response to a question from the Tesla Owners Silicon Valley group.
Yeah, definitely a future feature
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 5, 2020
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How or when this feature might appear isn’t important. Details like whether it will be active even while someone is driving are boring.
Today, Tesla’s entertainment features, like its video games or streaming Netflix, can only be used when the vehicle is in park. The Caroake feature can be deployed while driving, although a message pops up saying that the lyrics, which are displayed on the central screen, are only for passengers. A confirmation button that reads “I am a passenger” is also displayed before launching.
But that doesn’t mean the video conferencing feature will have the same constraints. Just a few days ago, Musk talked about creating a game like a complex version of Pac-Man or Mario Kart that interacts virtually with reality. In other words, it could be played while driving on roads.
Anyone think they can get a good multiplayer Minecraft working on Teslas? Or maybe create a game that interacts virtually with reality like Pokémon Go while driving safely? Like a complex version of Pac-man or Mario Kart?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 3, 2020
