Tesla's autonomous parking technology has come under scrutiny as federal regulators launch a comprehensive investigation into safety concerns. The probe focuses on the company's recently rebranded Actually Smart Summon feature, which allows owners to remotely control their vehicles through a smartphone app.
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| A Tesla Model Y driving through a challenging terrain, emphasizing the versatility and range of Tesla vehicles amid safety concerns |
Investigation Scope and Scale
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation affecting approximately 2.6 million Tesla vehicles. The investigation encompasses multiple models manufactured between 2016 and 2025, including Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles equipped with the remote parking feature.
Nature of Reported Incidents
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has documented 16 crash incidents involving Tesla's smart summon technology. These incidents include vehicles colliding with other cars, scraping against obstacles, and hitting parking infrastructure. While no injuries have been reported, the investigation highlights concerns about user reaction time and the system's ability to safely navigate parking environments.
Technical Implementation and User Interface
The Actually Smart Summon feature operates through Tesla's smartphone app, utilizing a camera-only approach after the company removed radar and ultrasonic sensors. Users must maintain continuous pressure on a button within the app to control the vehicle, with movement ceasing immediately upon release. This design choice aims to ensure user oversight during operation, though questions remain about its effectiveness in preventing accidents.
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| A view of the Tesla dashboard illustrating the technology interface used for the Actually Smart Summon feature |
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
A notable aspect of the investigation is Tesla's apparent lack of compliance with crash reporting requirements. Despite NHTSA's standing order requiring companies to report incidents involving automated features, no ASS-related crashes have been officially reported by Tesla through the proper channels.
Future Implications
The investigation's outcome remains uncertain, particularly given the upcoming political transition. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House and his reported close ties to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the regulatory landscape for autonomous vehicle technology could face significant changes. This situation adds another layer of complexity to Tesla's ongoing challenges with its self-driving technologies, including recent investigations into its Full Self-Driving system and a major Autopilot recall affecting over two million vehicles in 2023.