Videos Of Tesla's Smart Summons Feature Begin To Surface And It Doesn't Look Good

Since Tesla began rolling out its Smart Summon feature last week as part of its V10 software update, some videos posted to social media show the company's vehicles involved in accidents or near misses while using the feature.

Using Smart Summon, a Tesla owner can direct a vehicle to drive itself to the owner's location based on a smartphone's GPS or to another location.

One owner's Model 3 was struck by a car backing out of a parking spot and sustained front bumper damage. The owner shared video on Twitter of the incident, one from the dashboard of the Model 3 and one from his phone.

Soday 1 with V10 Smart Summon was working beautifully. But someone didn’t notice my M3 and made a front bumper damage. We will claim our insurances but who’s fault do you guys think it’ll be ? Should I present this videos ? @teslaownersSV @Model3Owners @LikeTeslaKim @TesLatino pic.twitter.com/fhSA78oD6C
— David F Guajardo (@DavidFe83802184) September 28, 2019

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SanJoseDriver - 10/1/2019 3:10:20 PM

-8 Boost

Oh those two (and another one I saw) are definitely not staged. The one hitting the garage I think was.

PUGPROUD - 10/1/2019 10:21:04 AM

+7 Boost

Duh! Whatever could go wrong?

countguy - 10/1/2019 10:36:59 AM

+9 Boost

Let me find my surprised face.

GeorgeD - 10/1/2019 11:28:28 AM

+6 Boost

How is this feature being advertised to be used for ? It seems like in the video, the accidents/or near hits is a game of chicken when it comes to the right of way. Like with the Infiniti pulling out and assuming the tesla would stop.

To me, there are too many variables that aren't accounted for.

Truthy - 10/1/2019 12:01:58 PM

+10 Boost

Once again, Elon uses consumers for Beta testing. Is he able to stop exaggerating his claims?
Where are all the usual fanboys on this one?
To George, you are blaming everyone, but Tesla? If the system is unable to handle this situation, then it is not ready for release to the public.
Do you really think people are damaging their own Teslas to stage this?

SanJoseDriver - 10/1/2019 3:15:38 PM

-8 Boost

It is beta for sure right now. The problem is from what I understand it is a new neural net different than Autopilot. It's like a baby and it can only learn so much in simulation. People with the early release are basically training that new net right now. Eventually the Summon and Autopilot neural nets will merge, but right now this sucker is brand new... people should be very careful when using this.

supermoto - 10/1/2019 2:12:03 PM

+8 Boost

Can't wait so see what kind of fools would ever consider flying on a Musk spacecraft.

SanJoseDriver - 10/1/2019 3:08:08 PM

-8 Boost

There are plenty of entertaining/impressive videos as well: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/09/30/early-tesla-smart-summon-tests-show-oodles-of-laughter-10-videos/

For the accident with the BMW, the BMW looks at fault. It pulled out when the Tesla was in the right of way.

As for the beta testing testing comment, in this case you guys are totally right. Smart summon was released first to "Early Access" which have been testing this out for a couple months. I have no idea how people even get in that program but I think I would call this Alpha testing. Then there is an "Early Access - Wide Release." This is for owners that prepaid for Full Self Driving a long time ago and opt for early updates (that's me). Smart Summon only went out to this group of maybe 10,000 people or so. I would call this very much Beta. But the end of this week it is supposed to go to the wide distribution for everyone who opted into early updates. I think there will be at least one more software update before it goes to everyone with Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self Driving.

My experience is it is not ready for busy parking lots and the main value is it's just freakin cool. Perhaps in the rain or for disabled people that can't walk very far it could be useful today.