NHTSA Investigating Tesla Autonomous Valet Feature Following Four Crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into over 2 million Tesla vehicles after receiving reports of crashes caused by remote driving, according to Green Car Reports.
The announcement, made Tuesday, applies to the 2016-2025 Tesla Model S and Model X, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y, covering 2.6 million vehicles.
NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation centers on Actually Smart Summon, the most recent version of a Tesla feature that enables the vehicle to leave a parking spot and come to the owner on its own. Smart Summon was initially launched in 2019, with Actually Smart Summon having been released this past September.
Since September, there have been four crashes related to the feature. According to the crash reports, the Teslas weren’t detecting objects that were there, such as other parked cars, with little time for people remote controlling it to react.
Though drivers are supposed to have the vehicle within eyesight to remotely control it, NHTSA will be investigating what the vehicle’s exact requirements are for this. The agency is also examining what Actually Smart Summon’s maximum speed is, how it operates on public roads, and potential connectivity delays.
