Tesla app may load vehicle data instantly in an upcoming update

By Nuno Cristovao
You may soon be able to view your vehicle's range instantly
You may soon be able to view your vehicle's range instantly

Today Tesla updated their iOS app to version 4.8. In this update Tesla added back the ability to manage your vehicle's lease.

Tesla also introduced the ability to view the status and updates for service requests related to Tesla energy services.

Features Under Development

However, there were several other underlying changes to the app for features that are currently in development.

Tesla now allows the ability to charge compatible non-Tesla vehicles at select Superchargers in some regions (why this is a smart move).

However, the Superchargers list displayed in the app currently doesn't offer a way to filter by non-Tesla compatible stations. It appears that Tesla will soon offer this as a feature in the app.

Another feature that Tesla is working on is the ability to transfer car ownership directly in the app. This feature will arrive in a future update, but some of the underlying code is already there.

Instant Vehicle Data

However, agruably one of the biggest features to the Tesla app appears to now be under development.

In the future, the Tesla app may be able to instantly display information about your vehicle. If this development comes to fruition, you will no longer have to wait for your vehicle to wake up before being able to view the car's range or state of charge. This information will be displayed almost once you open the app.

New cached API may allow Tesla to reduce waiting time when opening the app
New cached API may allow Tesla to reduce waiting time when opening the app

A new API found in this update will allow the app to retrieve cached vehicle data. Your car will send information to Tesla in the same manner it does today, but it will now do it automatically before falling asleep.

This change could allow for several big improvements.

Instant Data

The app could use this new API to display the latest vehicle data without having to wake up the vehicle first.

This means that once you open the Tesla app, you'll instantly have the latest battery state of charge, vehicle range, open door/window information, odometer reading and everything else, all without having to wait for the vehicle to wake up first.

Less Phantom Drain

This change will allow the vehicle to sleep longer, therefore reducing the vehicle's energy consumption, often referred to as phantom drain.

When this feature is ready to go live, Tesla will likely not wake up the vehicle every time the app is opened.

Today the Tesla app is used for much more than just vehicle information. We have charging statistics, insurance informaiton, Tesla Solar, Tesla service and more.

Waking up the vehicle every time the app is opened causes unnecessary energy lose.

Since the latest vehicle data will be displayed in the app without the need to wake up your vehicle, Tesla will likely wait for the owner to issue a command, such as turning on the climate system, before waking up the car.

Having your car data appear as soon as you open the app will be a huge improvement. It's very much a first world problem, but the instant access to your car's information will make the app much more useful.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

By Karan Singh
@brandonhd

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.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

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.

  • Manhasset, New York

  • West Covina, California

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Houston, Texas

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Westmont, Illinois

  • Tucson, Arizona

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

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.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

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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