Tesla 'Smart Summon' Under Investigation After Crashes

Tesla's "Actual Smart Summon" Feature Under NHTSA Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation concerning 2.56 million Tesla vehicles. This action follows multiple reported incidents involving the vehicle manufacturer’s Actual Smart Summon remote parking capability.

Details of the "Actual Smart Summon" Feature

Tesla initially deployed Actual Smart Summon, often abbreviated as ASS, through a software update in September. This functionality enables Tesla owners to remotely direct their vehicle to navigate to their location utilizing a mobile application. The system operates solely on data gathered from the car’s integrated cameras.

A prior iteration, known simply as Smart Summon, incorporated both camera data and ultrasonic sensors. However, newer Tesla models no longer include these ultrasonic sensors.

NHTSA Investigation Findings

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has documented one formal complaint directly linking the ASS feature to a collision. Furthermore, the ODI has examined at least three separate media accounts detailing comparable crashes.

According to the investigation report, “All four incidents involve Tesla vehicles utilizing [ASS] failing to recognize stationary objects, such as posts or parked cars, ultimately leading to a crash.”

Previous Smart Summon Complaints

The ODI also reviewed 12 complaints related to the earlier Smart Summon feature. These complaints described a similar crash pattern to those experienced by users of ASS.

These earlier incidents reportedly provided drivers with minimal opportunity to intervene and prevent a collision. The investigation will assess the safety implications of both versions of the remote summon technology.