Soon, Tesla cars could drive around to find empty parking
What's the story
Tesla cars offer some pretty useful features, including the famous 'Summon' capability that lets users remotely move their cars from one point to another - without anyone being inside. The feature works via Tesla's app, but soon, we could see an improved version, where the cars would be driving around parking lots on their own to find appropriate spots. Here's how it will work.
Smarter Summon
Cars will navigate around, read signs, says Musk
The 'slightly smarter' feature was revealed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk when he responded to a clever use of 'Summon' to avoid two-hour parking regulations. Musk claimed the cars would be able to navigate around parking spaces, find empty spots, and read signs to confirm if that's a valid place. Once the place is validated, it would go ahead and park itself.
Twitter Post
Here's the tweet by Musk
For those unfamiliar, this uses Tesla Autopark/Summon. Slightly smarter version hopefully ready soon. By next year, a Tesla should be able to drive around a parking lot, find an empty spot, read signs to confirm it’s valid park.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2018
Feature details
A mix of Tesla's Autopark and Summon technology
As Musk suggests the upcoming feature could be a mix of Tesla's Autopark and Summon technology. The Summon technology, as mentioned earlier, allows remote control of the vehicle, while Autopark parks the vehicle automatically, but requires the driver inside. The next version would take these features to a next level, but a human would still remain in the loop, possibly via app.
Release timeline
When this feature would come?
Musk has said Tesla's advanced Summon feature will be ready in six weeks and would be available by next year. The feature would be deployed via an OTA update and will be working on all Tesla models made in last two years. Interestingly, just recently, Musk had also announced a special 'dog mode' for Tesla cars.