A Tesla crashed into a private jet worth up to $ 3.5 million while in Smart Summon mode, witnesses say
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A witness told Insider that a Tesla in Full Self-Driving mode crashed into a Cirrus jet during an event.
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The car used Smart Summon when it crashed, the witness said.
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Drivers can pick up a Tesla from a distance of 200 meters by using the feature.
A Tesla appeared to crash into a private jet worth between 3 million and 3.5 million dollars while in its self-propelled Smart Summon mode on Friday, according to a witness.
A Reddit user with the username u / smiteme said that they witnessed the incident and posted a video of the incident on the platform.
The footage shows a driverless Tesla crashing into a Cirrus Vision Jet at Felt Fields Airport in Spokane, Washington. The airport did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment outside normal business hours.
Cirrus confirmed to Insider that the aircraft was a Cirrus Vision Jet priced between $ 3 million and $ 3.5 million and belonged to a customer it was unable to identify. It is unclear how much damage the car or plane suffered in the incident.
The Reddit user u / smiteme, who asked not to share his real name, told Insider that they were at the event, which was hosted by Cirrus.
They said: “It was at Felts Field Airport in Spokane for an event hosted by Cirrus. I’m not sure who its jet was – it came later in the event (it was another Vision jet and several Cirrus aircraft). there too). “
They added: “I do not know the owners of any of the vehicles. Only that the Tesla owner used summon.”
Tesla’s Smart Summon mode allows the driver to pry the car using the phone within a distance of 200 feet. The function is said to have caused chaos when it was first rolled out in 2019, with some Teslas that are said to have run into foliage or been involved in near misses.
Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment outside normal business hours.
Tesla’s website has a number of warnings for its Smart Summon mode. These include the fact that it is a Beta feature and that the car as such should be monitored continuously by the owner while in that mode.
“Smart Summon is designed and intended for use only in parking lots and driveways located on private property where the surrounding area is known and predictable. Do not use Smart Summon on public roads,” reads one of the warnings.
Self-propelled technology is gradually being approved by US regulators. In March, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved the production and deployment of steering wheels or pedals in a landmark ruling.
Read the original article on Business Insider
