Best Tesla game controllers and how to connect them

Teslas have a wide array of entertainment options from Netflix to Caraoke to a growing list of video games. Sky Force Reloaded was recently released and it offers great gameplay with a controller. Some video games are meant for a touch screen such as 2048, while others are meant to be played with a controller. In fact, some games like Cuphead, can only be played with a controller.

Unfortunately not all controllers will work with a Tesla, especially if you’re looking for a wireless solution. Although the good news is that you may already have a controller that works.

Wired Controllers

By far the easiest and lowest cost to entry is with a wired option. I actually recommend going this route unless you think you’ll be using your controller often. The wireless options are more complicated and costlier.

The good news is that if you have any recent game consoles, you likely already have a controller that is compatible with your Tesla. The bad news is that it’ll only work when attached via a USB cable unless you get an adapter.

Xbox One or PS4 controllers

If you have wired or wireless Xbox One or PS4 controllers, you'll be able to use them in your Tesla by simply plugging them up to the car's front USB ports. Unfortunately, Xbox 360 controllers will not work.

There are a wide variety of supported wired controllers. If you have one, I’d recommend trying it before going out and buying something else. However, if you don’t already have a controller that works, there are a few good options that won’t break the bank.

Logitech F310 Wired Controller

This is an inexpensive option and a good choice if you don't need a controller for anything else. This is the likely the least expensive controller you'll find by a reputable company that will work in your Tesla.

Keep in mind even though some of the controllers above are wireless, they must be plugged in to the front USB ports in order to work.

Wireless Controllers

Although there are currently no wireless controllers that can connect directly to your Tesla, there are a few options if you’d like to go wireless.

Logitech Gamepad F710

The Logitech F710 is a great choice because of its ease of connectivity and price. It comes with everything you need to just starting playing. It uses a nano USB receiver that is synced to the controller, so all you have to do is simply plug it in and use the controller.

8Bitdo Wireless Controller Adapter

If you’d like to use an existing controller wirelessly, then you can use this adapter by 8Bitdo that will let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

This adapter supports a large array of controllers, including: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch Joy-cons, Wii U and Switch Pro controllers.

MayFlash Wireless Controller Adapter

As an alternative, you can also use this adapter by MayFlash that will also let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

You'll simply plug this adapter into your Tesla's USB port then sync your controller to the adapter. The adapter will translate the controller's wireless signals into wired signals your Tesla can understand.

Tip: In order to connect any controllers or adapters to your Tesla you will need to plug them up to either the front USB ports or the USB port in the glovebox if you have one. The rear USB ports only provide power output.

USB Hubs

Jeda USB Hub Console

If you don’t have enough free USB ports then you'll need USB Hub. Jeda makes a great USB hub that wil also charge your AirPods and Apple Watch.

Anker 4-port USB hub

This Anker USB hub is an inexpensive way to get more USB ports in your car. It provides four USB ports and will be great to be able to plug in additional game controllers.

Now that you have a controller that works in your Tesla, get gaming! There are quite a few great games that support controllers and the list is growing all the time. The latest game, Sky Force Reloaded is a fantastic game that allows two player co-op.

Here are a list of games that support controllers:

• Sky Force Reloaded
• Gravitar
• Tempest
• Millipede
• Missile Command
• Lunar Lander
• Super Breakout
• Centipede
• Asteroids
• Beach Buggy Racing 2
• Cuphead (controller required to play)
• Stardew Valley
• Cat Quest (controller required to play)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (controller required to play)

If you have a controller that works great for you, let us know.

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Tesla Vehicles Spotted With LiDAR: What Do They Use It For?

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently hit the news for purchasing approximately $2M in LiDAR sensors from Luminar, one of Tesla’s long-term suppliers. You’ve probably seen photos of Tesla’s Semi and various Tesla models, including the Model 3 and Model Y sporting LIDAR equipment on the roof. These cars drive around with manufacturer plates scanning streets and highways.

However, many people confuse Tesla’s purpose in purchasing LiDAR equipment with using it for FSD versus testing. So, let’s look at what LiDAR is, and why Tesla uses it on its Fleet Validation Vehicles.

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR stands for Light Detecting and Ranging – essentially using lasers to measure distances. A laser pulse is sent out, and the time it takes to return is measured – providing extremely accurate distance measurements.

Some companies working on self-driving vehicles, including Waymo and BYD, use LiDAR as part of their self-driving suites, but Tesla is one of the few stand-outs that does not. Even Rimac’s “Verne” Robotaxi – which uses self-driving technology from Mobileye, also uses LiDAR.

While LiDAR can produce extremely accurate and high-quality 3D environments, it comes with its downsides as well. Not only is LiDAR costly and requires large gear strapped to a vehicle, but it also can not be used in bad weather and can have interference issues if there are other strong light sources present.

Why Does Tesla Use LiDAR?

A LiDAR rig mounted on a Tesla Semi for testing FSD.

Not a Tesla App

At Autonomy Day in 2019, Elon Musk mentioned that LiDAR isn’t the solution for self-driving cars – it's just a crutch. Thus, Tesla hasn’t used LiDAR for any production self-driving software.

Instead, Tesla uses it exactly how it's described – they use it to gather ground-truth data. This data is then used to feed Tesla’s Full Self Driving system – which helps validate its vision-only system's accuracy. LiDAR provides very accurate measurements to help ensure that FSD’s perception of space is accurate – and is only used by Tesla to ensure that its AI technology which is the brains of FSD is capable of accurately interpreting depth from just visual data.

Tesla’s vision-only system has been seen to be extremely accurate, with Vision-only Autopark being able to park in even narrower and tighter spaces faster than the previous version that relied on ultrasonic sensors.

We’ll likely continue to see Tesla purchase LiDAR systems, as well as use them for validation well into the future.

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Tesla's Upcoming Robotaxi Event in August Delayed, According to Bloomberg

Sugar Design

In a report from Bloomberg, it is claimed that Tesla will be delaying its much-anticipated 8/8 Robotaxi event by two months to October 2024.

While sources other than Bloomberg haven't confirmed this report, Bloomberg has a positive track record of reporting on financial decisions. We’ll be sure to update the article if there is confirmation on X from Elon Musk or another Tesla senior official.

Tesla’s stock has dropped nearly 8.5% over the day, ending back-to-back gains over the last two weeks. It closed yesterday at $ 241 after hitting a peak of $270 earlier in the day before the news broke.

Why the Delay?

The delay – of approximately two months – has been communicated internally, but not publicly announced just yet. Bloomberg goes on to mention that the design team was told to rework certain elements of the Cybercab, necessitating the delay.

If Bloomberg’s report is correct, it sounds like Tesla’s unveil event will be largely focused on showing off the vehicle, instead of demoing how it will work. Of course, it could still be both, but given past events, Tesla has always shown off the vehicle years before it hits production.

Rimac recently showed off their version of robotaxi vehicle named Verne, and surprisingly, it could almost pass for Tesla’s own robotaxi. A lot of design cues in Rimac’s version are elements we have already seen or expect to see in Tesla’s autonomous taxi.

A recent Tesla patent revealed that Tesla is incorporating a sanitation system into their robotaxi that will be responsible for analyzing and cleaning the vehicle’s interior, although the delay itself is likely tied more to a physical feature rather than software.

Another element we know almost nothing about is how Tesla plans to charge these robotic taxis. Will they rely on the existing charge port and adapt a solution like the robotic charging arm (video below) we saw almost eight years ago, or will wireless charging or a dock finally become realized?

While the delay for Tesla’s event appears to be related to the vehicle’s design itself and not further development of FSD, Tesla is wasting no time in getting FSD working for the upcoming vehicle. Model 3 vehicles have already been spotted with camera locations that resemble a robotaxi.

Is the Delay Accurate?

We expect that this delay might actually be true – Elon Musk usually takes to X within hours of such news breaking if it's false to refute it and hasn’t done so yet.

Tesla has delayed several of their events in the past, and a delay of a couple of months seems plausible. We should hear from Musk himself soon on whether this report is accurate.

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