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.
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.
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.
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.
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 $TSLApic.twitter.com/OM9qnntpj8
Tesla is officially opening up its long-anticipated Robotaxi service — but only for a select, invite-only group. Invitations have gone out to influencers to experience the first autonomous rides this Sunday, June 22, in Austin. Dubbed an “early access” program, this marks the official launch of Tesla’s Robotaxi service and the new Robotaxi app.
Invitation Details
Tesla is taking a cautious approach to its initial rollout. Only invited users — largely influencers and carefully selected individuals — will get to hail a ride using the new Robotaxi app. These early testers will be among the first to experience what Tesla describes as a fully autonomous ride, although not entirely without human oversight.
The invitations were sent out early this morning and offered plenty of new details about the Robotaxi service, the app and ride restrictions.
Human Safety Monitors
Elon Musk previously stated that there would be “no occupant in the driver seat,” and while that’s technically accurate, it’s not exactly what we expected. These Robotaxi rides will have a Tesla employee seated in the front passenger seat. This “safety monitor” will oversee the ride but not intervene unless necessary.
Interestingly, the documents shared with influencers indicate that these safety monitors will be subject to the same restrictions as Tesla owners with FSD Supervised. The cabin camera will monitor their gaze to make sure they’re paying attention and presumably warn them if they stare off to the side for too long.
Teleoperators
While there will be safety monitors in the vehicle, there are also expected to be teleoperators. Although Tesla doesn’t explicitly mention teleoperators, it does note that the cabin camera will only be used in the event of a support request or if “operator assistance” is required in an emergency.
Teleoperators aren’t a surprise at all, as all autonomous vehicles use them today when a vehicle needs help. While in the case of a Model Y, it’s possible for the safety monitor to take over the vehicle, Tesla is preparing for the future when there won’t be a safety monitor in the vehicle and the vehicle doesn’t have a steering wheel like the Cybercab.
Cabin Camera and Mic: Off By Default
Passenger privacy appears to be a priority. Tesla confirms that the cabin camera and microphone will be off by default during the ride. These features will only activate if the rider opts in, requests assistance, or in the case of an emergency. This appears to contradict what Tesla mentions about the cabin camera monitoring the safety driver, but it’s possible Tesla means that these features will be off by default when there isn’t a safety monitor in the vehicle.
Tesla says that after the ride, the camera may be temporarily activated to check for cleanliness or forgotten items before the vehicle continues to its next destination.
Will React to Emergency Vehicles
While we know that these vehicles will be equipped with a newer version of FSD, it’s not yet clear exactly which version it's. However, it appears that this version will now feature sound detection, allowing it to detect and react to emergency vehicles.
Tesla says the vehicles will use the vehicle’s microphone to recognize sirens or other road alerts. If a safety event is detected, the vehicle will reduce media volume and notify users on screen.
Like Tesla’s vision processing, all audio is processed in the vehicle and not transmitted unless explicitly enabled by the rider.
Recording and Sharing Encouraged
Tesla is allowing invited guests to bring one additional guest with them to experience the Robotaxi network. Tesla will be allowing the recording and sharing of photos and videos, so we should have plenty of new details on the Robotaxi soon.
Tesla is also asking users to rate their experience via the Robotaxi app, likely trying to identify any trouble points.
Restrictions for Robotaxi Rides
Tesla’s Robotaxi service will operate within a geofenced area of Austin and will be available between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM. So, essentially, there are only six hours when Robotaxis won’t be available. Tesla states that users will be able to see the geofence area within the app; however, we currently don’t know the size of this area.
Airport rides are not allowed, presumably due to more complicated scenarios. Tesla also states that the Robotaxi service can be paused at any point due to inclement weather; however, the forecast for Austin over the next week is clear and sunny, so this is unlikely to be an issue.
Pricing and Fees
Tesla’s agreement states that all rides will be priced in U.S. dollars and may include tolls, airport fees, and other regulatory charges. It’s not clear whether invited guests will need to pay for rides, but since Tesla is mentioning prices and doesn’t explicitly state that these rides are free, they’ll likely have to.
We may soon find out what Tesla will charge for Robotaxi rides and compare it to other services, such as Uber and Lyft. However, like all other Tesla pricing, these will likely change over time as well.
Tesla reserves the right to charge users for damages or litter left in the vehicle, according to documents shared with influencers.
Robotaxi App, Not the Tesla App
One of the more surprising revelations is that Tesla is not using the Tesla app for this service. Instead, riders will be required to download a new Robotaxi app. While code related to Robotaxi features has been found in Tesla’s main app, it now appears that the Robotaxi app will serve ride-hailing passengers.
The Robotaxi details we’ve seen in the Tesla app may be for future support when owners start adding their vehicles to the Robotaxi fleet. This way, an owner can open up the Tesla app and know the status of their vehicle.
The Robotaxi app won’t be publicly available on the App Store yet. Instead, invitees will receive a separate download invitation, likely through a service like TestFlight, which allows users to test unreleased apps. Tesla emphasizes that only the original invitee can download and use the app, but hopefully, we’ll have our first look at the Robotaxi app soon.
What’s Next
While this represents a soft launch for Tesla’s Robotaxi service, it offers our first glimpse at what the service will be like in terms of restrictions, geo-fenced areas, price, and, of course, a look at the Robotaxi app. Like all things Tesla, they’ll iterate and improve the app, service, and process over time.
We should have a lot more details and the first ride-along videos soon.
According to a new report from Business Insider, Tesla is planning a week-long production pause for the Cybertruck and Model Y lines at Giga Texas. On the surface, the reason seems pretty straightforward: maintenance and line upgrades.
But Tesla has been infamous for never shutting down lines unless it's an absolute production necessity. Given that this is the third production pause in the last 12 months, this suggests that Tesla is planning something other than routine maintenance.
Official Story
The facts, as reported by BI, are fairly straightforward. Tesla will be shutting down the Model Y and Cybertruck lines from June 30th to July 4th. In a staff meeting at Giga Texas, Tesla stated that the pause would enable maintenance and upgrades to help ramp up production.
While this could seem odd for the recently updated Model Y and Cybertruck lines, it also makes sense as Tesla continuously makes production improvements, rather than waiting for model year updates.
There definitely feels like there’s more to this story than a simple pause, but the timing and context suggest this pause is far more significant.
The Affordable Model
The key to this shutdown is Tesla’s strategy for its more affordable model. Tesla has pivoted away from building Giga Mexico, and is instead planning to build both the Cybercab with its unboxed assembly process, as well as the next-gen affordable vehicle at Giga Texas.
For now, Tesla plans to build the affordable model based on existing production lines within Giga Texas, rather than build a standalone line. This is mostly because Tesla intends for the affordable model to have a high part familiarity with the Model 3 and Model Y.
The Model Y line, in particular, is the prime candidate for this retooling. It is Tesla's most refined high-volume production line, and the tooling and equipment on the line are perfectly suited to enable Tesla’s quick transition to producing the new model.
A week-long shutdown is not enough time for a complete overhaul, but it is the perfect window to begin preparatory work. This could include installing new mounting points for future robotics, rerouting utilities, or even running initial trials for new assembly processes in a portion of the line.
Timing is Everything
This theory makes even more sense in the context of recent events. The cheaper model was initially planned for the first half of 2025, but following reported delays, the timing seems right for Tesla to start incorporating changes to support the new vehicle. While Tesla initially planned for a cheaper model to be based on the Cybercab with its unboxed assembly, they decided to produce one based on the current assembly line to get to market sooner. This isn’t the cheaper, “$25k” vehicle we were all hoping for, but instead a more affordable version of the Model 3 or Model Y.
While the Cybertruck line is likely undergoing standard ramp-up tweaks, the shutdown of the Model Y line likely presents something more. While it could also include maintenance and incorporate updated tools, it may include changes required for the newer model.
More Than Maintenance
While the official reason reported by Business Insider seems fairly plausible, there’s always more under the surface when it comes to major decisions like this with Tesla. Using the planned maintenance window to quietly begin the process of retooling is the kind of move we expect from Tesla.
_300w.png)
![Andrej Karpathy considers returning to Tesla to work on Optimus [video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/news/2022/karpathy-podcast_300w.jpg)
