Here we go again. The mainstream media is jumping all over Tesla for a simple over-the-air update that fixes an unusual recall affecting nearly 2.2 million vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration flagged a non-compliance issue concerning the font size of the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System visual warning indicators on the vehicle's dashboard display.
The Nature of the Issue
Our favorite Tesla hacker, @greentheonly, noticed something in update 2023.44.30.13, stating, “I thought it's no big deal, but apparently it is.
Tesla is changing the indicator lights in their vehicles
Greentheonly / Not a Tesla App
At the heart of the recall is relatively minor -- the font size used for specific dashboard warning indicators. According to NHTSA's findings, the font size used in Tesla's vehicle displays did not meet the minimum requirements set by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 105 and 135. This discrepancy raised concerns that the smaller font could reduce the driver's ability to quickly recognize and respond to critical safety warnings, thereby increasing the risk of a collision.
In a response highlighting Tesla’s unique capabilities, the company addressed this issue through an over-the-air software update. No need to bring the vehicle into the service center, Tesla remotely updates the affected vehicles, enlarging the font size of the warning indicators to meet regulatory standards. The updates began rolling out last month.
The Debate Around Recall Terminology
The incident has once again reignited discussions around the terminology and procedures used to classify and manage vehicle recalls in the era of connected and software-driven automobiles. Tesla and Elon Musk have previously criticized the traditional recall system, arguing that "recall" is misleading when issues can be resolved through OTA software updates. This latest event underscores the growing gap between conventional automotive recall practices and the capabilities of electric vehicle technology, prompting calls for regulatory bodies to modernize their approach to reflect these advancements.
Another mystifying aspect of the mainstream media’s contempt for Tesla is the number of other physical recalls issued to legacy automakers. Tesla has far fewer recalls, yet when the company does, it is big news, despite the fact that the problem is usually solved before the recall is even published, and it is done in a matter of seconds with an OTA update. As Tesla continues to innovate and lead in the electric vehicle sector and the entire industry, the company's approach to addressing recalls through OTA updates is setting a new standard.
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Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.
Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.
It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.
Advisor-led Demo
This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.
The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.
Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.
Vision-based Improvements
ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.
Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.
I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.
Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.
Actually Smart Summon
ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.
We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.
Park Seek and Banish Autopark
When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.
A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.
While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.
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