I've always been a big supporter of Tesla, though yes, I do point out Tesla's flaws so they can improve. I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Tesla Enhanced Summon/Tesla Smart Summon/Tesla Come To Me as the next step in the progression to Full Self Drive cars. This time, however, I believe Tesla took the "next step" a little quicker than they should have.
This happened during the filming of my How-To Enhanced Summon video (
). The first attempt with come to me worked perfectly. Second attempt using enhanced summon to place the Model X at the end of the empty parking lot and again to move it about 30 ft worked. The last attempt, however, could potentially have ended up fatal or with life-altering injuries!
The Tesla Model X slowed like it was going to stop, as it did the first time. However, it decided to KEEP GOING! I'm sorry I did not turn the camera quick enough, however, once I realized it was going to keep going, I released the COME TO ME button on the app, which will prompt an immediate stop, or AT LEAST IT IS SUPPOSED TO! After I released the button, it proceeded to travel for a few more ft before it stopped.
After having Geno move out of the way, I opened the car door to check the dashboard (see the picture in the video), to see if the car saw the wall with the sonar. Well, YEP! IT DID! You can see the big STOP on the dash picture showing an object is directly in front of the vehicle. Also, what the car reports as seeing on the app when using come to me, is off by about 4 ft.
Unlike my first Enhanced Summon video (
) which was purposely filmed in a Worst Case scenario parking lot and driveway, THIS video was filmed in the BEST CASE Scenario!
Clear sky, great weather, EMPTY PARKING LOT (for the most part), only obstructions in the lot were a couple concrete light poles.
At this time, as well as seeing the other FAIL videos and reports that are being posted, and seeing what it did in a relatively easy situation, I do believe the Enhanced Summon / Not So Smart Summon was released prematurely. (Some are reporting Tesla released it when they did to realize some income from the paid-for feature that had not been delivered yet right before End of Quarter, and speaking with some Tesla employees, this makes some good sense!). While it saddens me, I believe in good faith that the feature should be pulled pending more internal Beta testing. Sorry Tesla, this is a case where PUBLIC BETA TESTING is just not good enough.
PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS EVERYONE! USE ENHANCED SUMMON RESPONSIBILITY AND KEEP THESE VEHICLES AWAY FROM PEOPLE!!!!!