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 Releases FSD V12.6.1 for Model 3 & Model Y

Not a Tesla App

Last night, Tesla released software update 2024.45.25.15, which includes FSD V12.6.1. This update adds support for all HW3 vehicles, including the Model 3 and Model Y. We’re excited to see the continued support for HW3 owners. 

FSD V12.6.1

V12.6.1 is now going wide, according to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s VP of AI. This update is going to the Model 3 and Model Y for the first time - as only the Model S and Model X were included in FSD V12.6. 

V12.6 is a big step forward for HW3 - it includes End-to-End on Highway, Improved City Streets Behavior, and Smoother and More Accurate Tracking - all contributing towards a better, smoother, and more comfortable build of FSD. You can read our comparison between FSD V12.6 and V13.2.2 here. 

In short, FSD V12.6 performs considerably closer to V13 than V12.5.4.2 - which is a massive improvement. It performs as well as the Cybertruck version of FSD V13, which is still missing a few features when compared to other HW4 vehicles, but it’s a great sign for HW3. A lot of the improvements can be pointed to in the improvements to lane selection and decision-making - the vehicle tends to hesitate far less on V12.6, meaning the ride is a lot smoother. Many early V12.6 testers mentioned that it felt more like V13-mini than anything else.

Legacy Model S & X

We haven’t seen this update hit any legacy Model S and Model X vehicles just yet. We’re not sure whether Ashok’s statement of “generally” applies here - but it should. If you do get the update, please let us know.

Legacy Model S and Model X vehicles are still on an older FSD build and potentially won’t see another FSD update for a little while longer. While they do have the same FSD hardware as other vehicles, there are enough hardware differences that require a build specifically for these vehicles.

Release Date

FSD V12.6.1 is going out now to the redesigned Model S and X with HW3 and all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with HW3. The initial wave went out last night, and we expect to see more later today or tomorrow. If this release ends up going “wide,” we should see much larger waves go out next week.

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Tesla Issues Physical & OTA Recall for Hardware 4 Computer

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has issued a recall for some vehicles due to issues linked to a revision of the Hardware 4 (HW4) computer that was introduced this past November. This recall affects all vehicles with the revised hardware except for the Cybertruck, as it uses a slightly modified version of the HW4 system.

Many vehicle owners have reported a complete failure of their Autopilot computer, which not only leaves the vehicle without FSD and Autopilot but also disables many of the active safety features that make a Tesla what it is.

Let’s take a look at this recall - because the recall is partially physical and partially a software recall.

HW4 Failure

Tesla has identified the failure and flagged it to the U.S. NHTSA (but not Transport Canada or Euro NCAP at the time of publishing) as a recall.

Tesla mentions that the vehicle’s FSD computer circuit board may short circuit, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. The recall itself is focused on the rearview camera - as not having a functional rearview camera breaks a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. However, it does impact more than just the rearview camera.

As previously mentioned, users have experienced the full loss of Autopilot and FSD on these vehicles, as well as reduced traction control and removal of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance assist, and forward collision warnings. 

While the vehicle remains driveable, it is not necessarily a good idea to drive the vehicle with many of these features, especially with the reduced traction control noted by many people. We’ve already noted that while Tesla has been sending tow trucks to pick up some vehicles, it is also prompting owners to drive the vehicle to their service center in some cases.

Remedy

Unlike most of Tesla’s recalls, this one isn’t entirely an OTA recall, owing to the fact that people have already experienced circuit board shorts and are already waiting for replacements.

The software portion of the recall has already been mostly completed for any vehicles with Tesla software update 2024.45.25.3 or greater. However, a significant portion of the tracked fleet remains on update 2024.44.25.2 (approximately 20%), so we recommend updating your HW4 vehicle whenever you receive the notification.

On the hardware side, Tesla is immediately identifying and replacing hardware that has had circuit board failure. Tesla is also reaching out to customers who have expressed intermittent issues with Autopilot features, active safety features, or vehicle cameras that don't display correctly. If you have experienced any of these issues in a late 2024 vehicle, we recommend submitting a service ticket with Tesla to ensure that your vehicle isn’t affected by this recall.

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