Tesla has released their latest version of Full Self-Driving (FSD), and it includes two notable improvements. One of those is to the vision-based attention monitoring feature, as the other is for the newly released Actually Smart Summon (ASS).
The new version of FSD is included in software update 2024.27.25, which started rolling out to a select group of owners on Sunday night.
Vision-Based Attention Monitoring
Tesla first rolled out their vision-based attention monitoring in FSD v12.4, which was an extremely limited release that was eventually pulled due to issues with the software. It was later included in FSD v12.5, and removed the steering wheel nag that had been with FSD, and with basic Autpilot, since its inception. Instead of asking the driver to apply force (torque) to the steering wheel, the cabin camera would be used to make sure the driver was paying attention, making FSD a hands-free experience.
There were some limitations however. The feature could not be used with a low-brim hat or sunglasses, both of which obstructed the camera’s view of the driver’s eyes. However, with this new version of FSD, Tesla has removed the sunglasses limitation.
The release notes explicitly mention that vision-based attention monitoring now work with sunglasses, but it does not mention anything about low-brimmed hats.
Actually Smart Summon (ASS)
Another new feature that was recently released is Actually Smart Summon (ASS). This feature is also still only available to a small number of owners, but with the 2024.27.25 update, Tesla has improved its capabilities, and added a few new functions that aren’t useful, but should be fun.
The more useful of the two updates is that ASS now works within a wider radius. As you can see in the screenshots below from Zack (@BLKMDL3), the radius appears to have been increased by about 50 feet, meaning you can now use the feature when your Tesla is further away from you.
Actually Smart Summon (ASS) range comparison from v12.5.3 to v12.5.4 on my Model 3.
— Zack (@BLKMDL3) September 23, 2024
Same parking spot, screenshots taken exactly an hour apart. Looks like an increase in range of ~100 feet! ~50 feet in either direction. Nice increase. @Tesla_AI pic.twitter.com/k7qZzirtgJ
The less useful, but fun update to ASS is that you can now add sounds to the experience. Within the settings for ASS, you can add a sound for when ASS has arrived at its destination. You can pick from Applause, Ta Da, and Ba-dum Tiss, or Random, for a different sound every time. You can also now make the car fart when ASS is aborted.
These two functions will of course only work on cars with the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS), speaker, the primary function of which is to emit a sound while reversing.
Hopefully not the only change to ASS… @Tesla_AI @teslascope pic.twitter.com/farv8T62MV
— Roger Kappler (@roger_kappler) September 23, 2024
While this new update is still limited to a small number of users for now, Tesla did also start a larger rollout of FSD v12.5.2.1 and v12.5.1.5 on Sunday night, moving more owners off FSD v12.3.6, which they have been stuck on for nearly half a year. These updates do not include ASS, but does include vision-based attention monitoring and the removal of the steering wheel nag, however still with the sunglasses limitation.
Are you still stuck on FSD v12.3.6? Let us know in the comments below.
