--- title: "Elon Musk Furious at Gov for Shutting Down Tesla Feature That Farts at Pedestrians" description: "The latest recall forced Tesla to call back a software update that allowed drivers to use the outside pointing speakers as a \"Boombox\" and fart machine." date: "2022-02-14" modified: "2022-02-14" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-furious-tesla-farts" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "Tesla" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "elon musk" - "regulators" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Elon Musk Furious at Gov for Shutting Down Tesla Feature That Farts at Pedestrians ![The latest recall forced Tesla to call back a software update that allowed drivers to use the outside pointing speakers as a "Boombox" and fart machine.]() *\Image: Getty Images/Futurism\* ## Sound Off Tesla CEO Elon Musk is unhappy with regulators yet again after they forced his car company to roll back a software update that allowed drivers to use the vehicles' outward facing speakers as a "Boombox" that projected animal noises and [even sounds of flatulence](). When asked about the recall, a miffed Musk [tweeted](): "the fun police made us do it (sigh)." It's the eleventh recall in less than four months, [*Bloomberg* reports](). And while physical vehicles didn't have to actually be returned to the shop, since these recalls were usually solved with an over-the-air software update, it's a choppy look for a car company looking to lead the charge on making electric vehicles more palatable to the masses. ## BoomNix Teslas were previously able to use their outward-facing speakers not only to warn pedestrians but to play music and make prankish noises like farts and goat sounds as well. In a filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car company had argued that its Boombox feature could "enhance the conspicuity of the vehicle to pedestrians." Put differently, farts could be more perceptible than the usual honk or [spacecraft hum]() associated with contemporary EVs. Electric cars, by law, have to emit sounds to make sure pedestrians are aware of their presence, since their electric motors don't make much noise. The NHTSA ordered Tesla on February 4 to disable its Boombox feature when in drive, neutral, or reverse, to comply with safety standards, according to *Bloomberg*. According to a recall report obtained by the outlet, Tesla had a months long back-and-forth with the regulator, dragging its feet on disabling the feature. Musk butting heads with regulators is [nothing new](). He's voiced displeasure with them on countless occasions, calling them out for adding unnecessary red tape or holding back his many endeavors. But when it comes to pedestrian safety, the rules are the rules — and Tesla is beholden to them just like all other carmakers. **READ MORE:** [Elon Musk bemoans 'fun police' for making Tesla disable the feature that lets drivers blast fart noises and music from outside car speakers]() **More on Tesla:** *[Tesla Is Absolutely Spraying Out Cars]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()