The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday that it has initiated an investigation involving approximately 2.6 million Tesla vehicles following reports of several crashes linked to the company’s “Actually Smart Summon” driverless feature. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation disclosed that it had received a complaint citing a crash related to the use of this feature and had identified at least three media accounts detailing similar incidents associated with it. In these reported crashes, the Tesla vehicles reportedly failed to detect obstacles such as posts or parked vehicles while utilizing the Actually Smart Summon function.
According to the regulator, there have been multiple allegations of crashes involving both the Smart Summon and Actually Smart Summon features, with users reportedly having insufficient reaction time to prevent a collision, either due to limited visibility or delays in releasing the app button to halt the vehicle’s movement. Actually Smart Summon was introduced in September, offering users the capability to remotely command their vehicle to drive towards them or another specified location through a smartphone application. This feature succeeded the previous version known as Dumb Summon, which permitted users to maneuver their vehicle forwards or backwards within a parking space.
The NHTSA indicated that its investigation will focus on various aspects of the Actually Smart Summon feature, including its maximum speed, appropriateness for use on public roads, and visibility requirements. Additionally, the probe will address issues such as remote control via the phone app, effects of connectivity delays, and the system’s performance under unforeseen circumstances. Tesla, which experienced a 1.6% decline in stock value prior to the market opening, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This latest inquiry by the traffic safety regulator marks the second significant investigation involving Tesla and its automated driving technologies within the span of four months. In October, the NHTSA launched an investigation concerning 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) software following reports of four collisions, including a deadly incident in 2023. The increased scrutiny of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance systems coincides with CEO Elon Musk’s strategic shift towards self-driving technology and the development of robotaxis.
The investigation is ongoing, with the NHTSA closely examining the safety and performance aspects of Tesla’s driverless features to ensure the protection of both Tesla owners and other road users. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Anil D’Silva)
