Tesla's Not 'Actually Smart Summon' | TechManPat

Tesla Autopark in a car park

The Tesla used for this test had the company’s full self-driving capability, along with self-parking and Summon. When entering a car park, a P appeared on the display and parking spaces were shown in blue. After selecting reverse and pressing start, the car turned the wheel and moved back and forth until it positioned itself in the space.

Pat noted that the car park used for the test was not the easiest example because the painted lines were difficult to follow. However, nearby vehicles can make parking easier for the system because their physical shape is more visible than faded or unclear markings. The Tesla completed several turns and parked close to the rear of the space. One side was somewhat tight, but the result was considered a good park.

What standard Summon can do

The video distinguishes the standard Summon feature from Actually Smart Summon, which Pat says is coming soon to Australia. Standard Summon is available through a $5,100 Tesla package and provides two main options: Come to Me and Go to Target.

The feature is intended for use in a car park, not on public roads. When the system is used outside an approved area, the car displays a message saying that it cannot be used on public roads. In the test, the car park’s location appeared to determine whether Summon could be activated.

Come to Me and Go to Target

With Come to Me selected, the driver holds a button on the phone and the Tesla starts preparing itself before moving. It then drives towards the owner, using its indicator, and stops short of them. The process is relatively slow to begin, as the car starts, selects drive and then moves.

Go to Target allows the driver to select a destination within a circular limit shown on the phone. This limit helps keep the car within the user’s view. The phone button must remain pressed, so releasing it stops the car, although Pat observed that the car can stop suddenly.

During the test, the Tesla travelled at about 8 km/h, slowed near an area where cross traffic could enter, and detected an intersection or T-section in the car park. It avoided several curbs, including some close turns, and made one particularly smooth turn. However, the braking was not consistently smooth, with the car occasionally stopping or applying the brakes sharply.

Limitations and safety observations

The Tesla did not always follow the apparent direction of the car park and appeared to travel towards the centre or opposite side in some sections. Pat also observed that the map did not perfectly align with the road, although he was unsure whether this was related to Apple Maps.

The car generally avoided curbs and adjusted its path around the car park. When Pat stepped in front of it, the Tesla stopped at a considerable distance. It also attempted to manoeuvre around a person rather than simply continuing forwards. These observations were made in an empty car park, and Pat did not test the feature around dense traffic because the vehicle was a loan car and he did not want to risk damaging another vehicle.