- Update allows owners to convert sat nav display into a light cycle
- Red ambient lighting adds to the futuristic effect.
- Some customers feel the update is an announcement too far away.
A recent update to Tesla’s software allows Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck owners to transform their in-car displays into light cycles and other cutting-edge scenes. Tron: Ares movie.
When owners head to the app launcher and select Toybox, they’ll see a new Tron option that adapts 3D navigation so that its standard vehicle icon appears as a light-up bike, complete with tracking lighting effects as it navigates around the city.
The move was made in conjunction with the release of the third film in the Tron universe, allowing those with optional ambient cabin lighting to also set the cabin to a deep red hue to increase the feeling of sci-fi futurism when driving.
However, the update has been met with resistance from owners, some of whom have opted to Reddit complains that the futuristic turn signal sounds that are part of the update are irritating, while others feel that a corporate collaboration like this is a worrying sign of things to come.
The network has expanded to its Tesla: Tron: Ares update is rolling out now pic.twitter.com/oQvYSAFuLMOctober 10, 2025
The comments on Electrek’s article are also particularly damning, with one user claiming that automakers inserting ads into cars would be “an egregious violation of personal space.”
It is not known whether Disney paid Tesla for recent movie promotions, but Elon Musk previously attacked Disney bosses when they decided to pull advertising on their X social media platform.
The Tesla founder called for CEO Bob Iger to be “fired immediately” and angrily added that “Walt Disney is rolling in his grave over what Bob has done to his company.”
But the companies appear to have put aside their differences, as not only do themes from the Disney-produced film now appear inside the vehicles, but the film’s promotional team also used a Tesla Optimus robot to draw attention during a red carpet event for the film.
The humanoid robot tried to ‘fight’ Tron: Ares star Jared Leto, who created a little content for social networks.
billboards on wheels
While enabling the Tron: Ares The theme is optional on a Tesla, it certainly blurs the line between advertising and adding genuine value to a product.
But the fact of the matter is that more and more automakers are moving towards a Software-defined vehicle model, where cars can be updated quickly, easily and remotely with wireless data packages.
Not only does this have the potential to add new features or fix bugs, but it also opens the door to a greater number of subscription packages or “on-demand” payments offered to the owner, something that many major brands admit will be an increasingly important source of income in the coming years.
Perhaps, when the owner is not willing to hand over monthly sums of money, he may encounter in-vehicle advertisements to make up for the “deficit”, as is the case with many modern streaming services, such as Spotify and YouTube.
Last year, a story emerged claiming that Ford had filed a patent for a system that would personalize infotainment advertising content based on numerous sources, including audio from voice commands and even location data.
Some Jeep owners also reported seeing pop-up ads in their infotainment systems earlier this year, although the company said this was a technical issue.
Whatever happens, these commercial tie-ups are becoming more prevalent, and as in-vehicle infotainment systems become an extension of our digital lives, drivers may be forced to endure an increasing number of marketing campaigns on the road.
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