Summary
- NHTSA is investigating 2.6 million Tesla electric vehicles in the U.S. due to crashes involving the Actually Smart Summon feature
- The investigation includes assessing the feature’s maximum speed, use on public roads, and line-of-sight requirements
- The investigation was triggered by reports of vehicles failing to detect obstacles and crashes being caused due to remote operation
- This investigation follows another one opened in October regarding Tesla vehicles equipped with the Full-Self Driving system
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship with president-elect Donald Trump may impact the outcome of these investigations
Article
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it will be investigating 2.6 million Tesla electric vehicles in the U.S. due to incidents involving the automaker’s Actually Smart Summon feature. This feature allows drivers to remotely control their vehicles using the Tesla smartphone app, with the car moving short distances in and out of parking spaces while the driver maintains line of sight. The investigation was prompted by reports of four crashes related to this feature, and the NHTSA will determine whether to upgrade this to an engineering analysis and potentially force Tesla to issue a recall.
The NHTSA will be evaluating various aspects of the Actually Smart Summon feature, including its maximum speed, use on public roads, line-of-sight requirements, and potential connectivity delays that may occur when using a smartphone for remote control. The investigation will encompass Tesla vehicles from various model years, including Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. The incidents that triggered this investigation involved vehicles failing to detect obstacles such as posts and parked cars while being remotely operated, leading to crashes where drivers had limited time to react.
This latest investigation adds to the challenges that Tesla has been facing, including a previous investigation into vehicles equipped with the Full-Self Driving system. This earlier investigation was opened by the NHTSA in October after reports of four crashes, one of which resulted in a pedestrian being killed by a Model Y. Tesla has also faced issues with the launch of its Cybertruck, which has been recalled multiple times, and a decline in sales in 2024. Despite these challenges, Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship with incoming president Donald Trump raises the possibility that the new administration may not push these investigations further.
Overall, the NHTSA’s investigation into Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon feature raises concerns about the safety and functionality of remote driving technology. As more vehicles incorporate features like Smart Summon, it is crucial for regulators to assess the risks and potential hazards associated with these systems. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Tesla and the future development of remote-driving technology in the automotive industry. The close scrutiny and potential repercussions from regulatory bodies highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of advanced driver assistance systems in vehicles.
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