Tesla Releases 'Actually Smart Summon': Features & Videos [Now Includes HW3]

AIDRIVR

Early this morning Tesla released FSD v12.5.3 with Actually Smart Summon. The update is version 2024.27.20 and while the FSD release notes remain the same, we now have the long-awaited Actually Smart Summon feature (cute acronym here).

While this release is currently limited to hardware 4 (AI4) vehicles, it’ll be the first time that any type of Summon is available on vehicles without ultrasonic sensors. When Tesla removed ultrasonic sensors in the Model 3 and Model Y in October of 2022, those vehicles also lost access to features such as Summon (regular and smart), Autopark and Park Assist.

Tesla then rewrote the software for these features to remove its reliance on ultrasonic sensors and use only vision. Park Assist was publicly reintroduced for USS-less vehicles in March 2023 and later enhanced with High-Fidelity Park Assist. Autopark was reintroduced in March 2024, and now Smart Summon has finally arrived.

Rollout

The rollout of FSD v12.5.3 and Actually Smart Summon is currently going out to early-access customers, which mostly consists of popular influencers. However, it’s only going out to vehicles with AI4, and it’s not clear when it’ll be supported on HW3. When Tesla first rolled out FSD 12.5 to HW4 vehicles, it took about a month before it became available on HW3 cars. Since the hard work of porting the new FSD model to HW3 vehicles is already done, we don’t expect a huge delay in getting the improved Summon feature available on HW3.

Like all other Tesla rollouts, FSD 12.5.3 will be gradual. The recent rollout of FSD 12.5.1.5 was stopped, likely in favor of this version. Keep an eye on our rollout pages for FSD 12.5.3 to see when this update goes out to additional customers.

Update: Tesla has now begun rolling out the update to HW3 vehicles!

Actually Smart Summon Features

Actually Smart Summon includes several new features over the previous version of Smart Summon that was available on vehicles with USS. First, its capabilities seem to be greatly improved over its predecessor since it now leverages the newest FSD model in FSD v12 and uses end-to-end AI, instead of relying on hand-coded features to control the vehicles.

Tesla is now also providing a live camera view in the app as expected after an app update showed evidence of live camera feeds. When you open the Summon view from the app, you’ll be shown a matrix of four live camera views in the app.

Actually Smart Summon test #2 (Roundabout)

I'm officially impressed pic.twitter.com/GbiWcdFYpB

— ΛI DRIVR (@AIDRIVR) September 3, 2024

While using Smart Summon, you’ll be presented with a live video of the vehicle’s front camera, giving you even better access to the vehicle’s surroundings.

With the updated Summon, you have two choices. You can use the original summon, “Dumb Summon,” which only allows you to move your vehicle in a straight line — forward or back. Or you can use the new Smart Summon which allows you to have the vehicle go to your current location or a different spot you pick on the map.

To use Summon, you’ll need to hold down the “Come to Me” or “Go to Target” buttons. Whenever you let go of the button, the vehicle will stop. This lets you easily stop the vehicle when you notice an obstacle the vehicle may have missed.

Future Features

In the release notes, Tesla points out that there will be additional features coming to Smart Summon in the future. These features include HomeLink and MyQ garage support, which will allow the vehicle to open a garage door before it starts moving. It’s worth noting that this feature was available in the previous version of Summon, but Summon just didn’t work well enough to trust the vehicle to open the garage door before it started moving. Actually Smart Summon (just called Smart Summon in the app), will be a huge improvement, but whether you’ll want to trust it with opening and closing your garage door is still to be determined.

Tesla also says that it’ll improve the summoning experience by not requiring you to hold down the buttons in the app and that it’ll also support longer ranges in a future update. The current version of Summon is limited to about 65 meters (213 feet). While Tesla doesn’t specify the range of Actually Smart Summon, it’s expected to be about the same as the previous version with an even longer range coming in the future.

ASS (Actually Smart Summon) test #1 pic.twitter.com/qHLJ4Pvrdg

— ΛI DRIVR (@AIDRIVR) September 3, 2024

Eligibility & Regions

Actually Smart Summon is currently limited to users with FSD on the latest FSD update (2024.27.20). This update is expected to go out to additional customers with HW4 and FSD in North America, but it’s also expected to support HW3 soon.

Actually Smart Summon will be available outside of North America and to customers with Enhanced Autopilot or FSD in the future. However, this won’t happen until FSD 12.5.3 is stable and becomes a part of the regular Tesla updates. Tesla currently includes FSD 12.3.6 with the non-FSD specific updates. As we saw with Autopark, Actually Smart Summon is expected to roll out to North America first, then gradually roll out to additional countries. Autopark was first released in North America on an FSD-specific update in March 2024 and then became available in Europe in late June.

Robotaxi Event

This weekend we shared the news that Tesla will be holding its Robotaxi event at an outdoor, city-like movie studio where they’re expected to show off the Robotaxi in action and even let attendees ride along in the vehicle. Tesla also started gathering additional data in some of the public areas of the movie studio to help improve Robotaxi performance at the event (Robotaxi concept designs).

Actually Smart Summon could be one of the reasons the Robotaxi event was moved from August 8th to October 10th. We’re now only a little over a month away from this event now, and Actually Smart Summon may be our first glimpse into what the Robotaxi will be capable of.

My first time sitting in the back seat while FSD drives me around in my new Model 3 Performance $TSLA pic.twitter.com/OM9qnntpj8

— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) September 3, 2024

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Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

Not a Tesla App

The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

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Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

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