Tesla Owners Can Summon Car With Smartphone
CARS.COM — Tesla isn’t planning any big reveals at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but that’s not stopping the electric carmaker from announcing some news. The automaker just released software update version 7.1, which builds on the previous update’s autonomous vehicle capabilities and adds a new, futuristic feature: Owners can now summon their Tesla from their smartphone.
Related: Tesla Model S Software Update Makes It First Self-Driving Car
With the new feature, aptly called Summon, the car automatically handles all the parking maneuvers: it will open the garage door, enter the garage, park itself and shut down. Drivers can also use the Summon feature to open the garage door and have the car drive itself to their location.
The software update is for both the Model S sedan and Model X SUV, but there’s a caveat: Autonomous vehicles aren’t legal on many roads. For now, Tesla is telling owners not to use the system on public roads. “During this Beta stage of Summon, we would like customers to become familiar with it on private property. Eventually, your Tesla will be able to drive anywhere across the country to meet you, charging itself along the way. It will synch with your calendar to know exactly when to arrive,” the automaker said in a statement.
