

Nonetheless, it’s clear that he believes radio should remain prominent in the car dash. Why? Tesla is an international company dealing with a variety of broadcast standards while also preparing for 5G rollout an attempt to simplify its technology offerings makes sense for the manufacturer, if not for the consumer, Lanctot reasons. He writes, “it is quite possible that Tesla has leveraged user data from its own vehicles to determine that radio listening in its vehicles was sufficiently minimal to be worth risking some minor resistance.”Īdditionally, it may be “a market research project” to determine customer demand for OTA radio. Tomorrow it will be our freedom.” Perhaps this conclusion is a bit hyperbolic, but Lanctot concedes that the strategy has a logical side. In response to this news, Strategy Analytics Global Automotive Associate Director Roger Lanctot wrote a LinkedIn article titled “Technology Tyranny and the End of Radio.”Īccording to Lanctot, “Once again, Silicon Valley is asking us to surrender one thing in exchange for another. vehicles with Autopilot Computer 2.5 featuring Full Self-Driving Capability will be first in line, while those running Autopilot Computer 2.0 should be contacted later this month. (Broadcasters will likely wince when they see “Removes AM, FM and Sirius XM radio” under the “Improvements” heading of its software breakdown.)Ĭurrently, the offer is available by emailed invitation only, according to Tesla Service. Some older Tesla Model S and Model X owners are now able to purchase a $2,500 update that the company says improves user experience, enables video streaming and supplies an expanded Tesla Arcade but will remove broadcast AM/FM radio and Sirius/XM reception. A new optional infotainment system upgrade from carmaker Tesla proves that these concerns are well founded.


Radio broadcasters have long feared that self-driving cars would threaten their dashboard dominance.
