Tesla is the target of yet another federal safety probe, the fourth currently open by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation. Today’s trouble concerns the automaker’s “Smart Summon” and “Actually Smart Summon” features, which allow Tesla drivers to remotely control their vehicles via a smartphone app.
At least in theory, that is. In practice, NHTSA says it’s aware of multiple crash allegations “where the user had too little reaction time to avoid a crash, either with the available line of sight or releasing the phone app button, which stops the vehicle’s movement.”
Worse yet, Tesla has failed to report any of these incidents to the safety regulator, which has a standing general order that requires any automaker or operator of autonomous or partially automated vehicles to report crashes involving such systems that occur on publicly accessible roads.
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How is this even allowed on the road? No consequences for a video game like experience sounds like a disaster.
I have used it a couple of times to back the car out of a parking spot when some jerk parked way too close to my driver side. But I will admit that it makes me nervous. It doesn’t feel super super responsive to my little smart phone button, though it goes very slow.
However, I’m confused about what they mean by “smart” summon; maybe that’s something else that I’m not familiar with? It sounds more like automatic parking where the sensors might misunderstand the surroundings and run into something. I don’t use the automatic parking feature at all. I can park my own damn car. The more features like these that are advertised, the more I worry that people will think it’s not important to get better at the skill of operating a motor vehicle.
Thanks for explaining this. It does sound like what you have, but people are using it however they want.
The “Smart Summon” was 404’d on the Tesla site, but here’s the archive:
Smart Summon maneuvers Model 3 out of parking spaces and around corners. This is useful for moving Model 3 out of a tight parking spot, through puddles, or helping you retrieve your car while carrying packages. You must maintain a clear line of sight between you and Model 3 and closely monitor the vehicle and its surroundings at all times.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situationCAUTION Smart Summon is designed and intended for use only on parking lots and driveways located on private property where the surrounding area is familiar and predictable. Do not use Smart Summon on public roads. Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situationWarningSmart Summon must only be used on paved surfaces. Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situationWarningSmart Summon is a BETA feature. You must continually monitor the vehicle and its surroundings and stay prepared to take immediate action at any time. It is the driver’s responsibility to use Smart Summon safely, responsibly, and as intended. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the limitations of Smart Summon (see Limitations and Warnings). Parent topic: Autopilot Before Using Smart Summon Download the latest version of the Tesla mobile app to your phone, and ensure your phone has cellular service and GPS enabled. Your phone must be connected to Model 3 and located within approximately 213 ft. (65 meters). The vehicle’s cameras must be fully calibrated (see Drive to Calibrate Cameras). You must have a clear line of sight to Model 3. Model 3 must be in Park, not charging, and all doors and trunks must be closed. Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situationCAUTIONEnsure all cameras and sensors (if equipped) are clean. Dirty cameras and sensors, as well as environmental conditions such as rain and faded lane markings, can affect Autopilot performance. Using Smart Summon Open the Tesla mobile app, and press Summon. Press the Smart Summon icon located in the center of the image of your Model 3. It may take several seconds for Smart Summon to start up.Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attentionNote You can use Standby Mode to eliminate the delay that occurs when Smart Summon is starting up (see Standby Mode).The mobile app displays a map with a blue circle, which represents the maximum proximity of 213 ft. (65 meters) that you must maintain between your phone and Model 3. The blue dot on the map represents your location, and the red arrow represents the vehicle.
Edit:
I accidentally came across this article from September of last year:
Tesla finally launches Actually Smart Summon and Dumb Summon
Released in the most recent Software Update for Teslas, Actually Smart Summon will allow owners to literally summon their vehicle from a parking spot to a particular location nearby.
The best example of its ideal usage would be to pick you up from the front of the grocery store instead of hauling a cart full of groceries throughout the parking lot.
Instead, your car will come to your location, configured by the Tesla App.
Dumb Summon will let you move the vehicle forward or backward, adjusting the final location of the vehicle.
Wow somehow I missed that (or promptly forgot about it because I knew I’d never use it). That is bonkers. If your arms are full of groceries, how are you gonna pull out your smartphone and tap some buttons?? I don’t want to diminish the importance of features that might help disabled folk but this seems too far to me.
Seems kinda pointless, it’ll just get squashed in 2 weeks
I will give props to Tesla for bringing the first EVs to market.
However, just cause you build a car from scratch and want it to be futuristic, shouldn’t mean that you get to disregard safety design.
I will give props to Tesla for bringing the first EVs to market.
They weren’t, though. They just made them popular at an opportune time. EVs have been around since the early to mid 90s, with the GM EV1 being the first to build over 1000 cars (most were apparently leased, so it would be weird to say “sold”).
So all they did was achieve a successful marketing campaign, which propelled them into their current market position where they can flaunt safety laws.
