Tesla Shares Surge 4.18% as New Robot Tech and 'Actually Smart Summon' Ignite Investor Excitement

Tesla (TSLA) saw a rise of 4.18%, trading at $213.15 on September 4th. This comes amid reports that Tesla will showcase its Cyberquad and Optimus humanoid robot at the 2024 Inclusion·Bund Summit in Shanghai's Huangpu Expo Park. Tesla aims to dramatically reduce the cost of these robots from several hundred thousand dollars to between ten and twenty thousand dollars. The company plans to start limited production of the Optimus humanoid robot next year, with over 1,000 of them set to assist humans in Tesla factories.
After a long wait, Tesla has finally prepared to roll out its next-generation summoning feature, "Actually Smart Summon" (ASS), to the general public. This new technology, which leverages a purely vision-based approach, is set to be compatible with most configurations of Tesla’s Model S, 3, X, and Y vehicles. With the introduction of the 2024.27.20 software update, Tesla owners can now summon their cars from parking spots to specific locations using just their smartphones.
The update notes state: "Buckle up for the most unforgettable journey of your life, though this time, the surprise is that you're not in the car." ASS allows your vehicle to come to you or go to a predefined location with minimal manual effort, turning what feels like magic into a sophisticated tech experience.
Additionally, the "Dumb Summon" feature enables simple forward or backward movement of the Tesla car via the mobile app. Users can access real-time information via the car's cameras to monitor trips. The features "COME TO ME" and "GO TO TARGET" allow for easy, button-activated commands to summon or direct the car, respectively.
It’s important to note, however, that both ASS and Dumb Summon are restricted to use in parking lots or residential driveways. Users must remain vigilant about their car and its surroundings, as they are still responsible for the vehicle's movements. Tesla also hinted at future enhancements, including integrating with HomeLink and myQ for garage control, expanding the range of driverless operations, and eliminating the need to hold down a button.
Interestingly, before Tesla introduced this feature, other domestic upstarts had already rolled out similar parking summon capabilities. The rising competition showcases the industry's shift towards advanced autonomous features. Nonetheless, Tesla's vision-centered approach marks a significant pivot from prior reliance on radar and other sensors.
Musk initially promised the smart summon feature by the end of September 2022, with subsequent delays pushing it to the end of 2023 and then April this year. Meanwhile, Tesla plans to launch driverless robotaxis in California on October 10th, indicating a strategic pivot towards automation and robotics.