A new option lets you prevent Tesla from sending certain commands to your vehicle
@_bennettm_
In a move that resonates with the evolving landscape of customer privacy, Tesla has introduced a new feature allowing owners to toggle the ability for the company to send remote commands to their vehicles.
The Discovery of Increased Control
Bennett, a Tesla owner with the handle @bennettm on X, brought attention to the newly discovered toggle within his vehicle's service settings. Running software version 2023.27.7, Bennett found he could now control Tesla's remote access to his car. This functionality was not previously available, and it seems to have been activated remotely, as not all vehicles on the same software iteration exhibit this option.
The Implications of Remote Commands
Tesla presumably had carte blanche to send commands to any car. This shift suggests a more nuanced approach to vehicle command protocols, possibly in response to broader discussions around data security and user consent.
Interestingly, the change comes just days after Elon Musk appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan has talked about his concerns about the ability of companies to be able to shut down technologically advanced vehicles remotely. Although that didn't come up during their latest conversations on air, there is no telling what the two talked about away from the microphone.
Tesla's vehicles are renowned for their advanced technology, including the ability to receive over-the-air updates and commands. The ability to send remote commands could encompass a range of actions, from unlocking doors to starting the vehicle or possibly even resetting systems in emergency scenarios.
The Impact on User Experience and Security
Turning remote commands on or off is a significant nod towards user privacy, allowing owners to assert their preferences for connectivity and intervention. For Tesla, it's a delicate balance between ensuring customer trust and maintaining the necessary access to provide the exceptional and cutting-edge experience the brand is known for.
While the details of the implementation are still emerging, this move could have numerous benefits:
Enhanced Privacy: Owners who are cautious about data security may find comfort in the ability to restrict remote access.
Personalized Control: Users can opt-in or opt-out depending on their trust level, usage pattern, or specific situations.
Security: It adds a layer of security, ensuring that only the owner can enable remote commands if they choose to.
As the automotive industry ventures further into the realm of connected cars, managing the intersection of technology and user control becomes increasingly important. Tesla's latest feature exemplifies the company's agile approach to software development, customer feedback, and industry trends. The potential for what remote commands can entail will undoubtedly evolve. Still, for now, Tesla owners can take solace in having a more significant say in how their vehicles are accessed and controlled remotely.
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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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