Tesla Model X Owner Summons SUV Into A Jet … A True Edge Case

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There’s a viral video out there of a Tesla Model X on Summon crashing into a $3.5 million jet. It’s unclear how/why someone could do such a thing, or let such a collision take place, but nonetheless, this is an edge case for Tesla that could help the company’s AI learn and prevent any such accidents in the future.

It’s not every day a driver crosses paths with an aircraft. The Verge reported that it happened at an event sponsored by Cirrus at Felts Field in Spokane, Washington. The video was originally shared in the r/flying subreddit, and it looks as though it was captured by security cameras.

One thing Teslarati noted that I didn’t see other articles pointing out was that it’s not exactly known when the vehicle was manufactured, and also there was no real explanation as to why it didn’t stop before it reached the jet. Also, as many members of the Tesla community have noted, it appears that the part of the aircraft that the Model X hit was not on the road but in the air and barely low enough to be nudged by the Model X. That doesn’t mean that the Model X should have driven into it, but it’s certainly a true edge case.

I find it really strange that the owner of the vehicle didn’t seem to notice the jet in the path of the Model X, or the car being so close to the jet. However, @WholeMarsCatalog points out that at least this will make Tesla’s software “more robust against crazy future situations.”

The Verge went on to mention a couple of not-so-positive reports about Tesla, FSD, and Smart Summon, but I didn’t see any references to stories of how this technology has helped make lives easier and even saved some as well. Teslarati pointed to an experiment by Kevin Rooke, who has extensively tested his Tesla’s Summon feature in various ways. The video below shows Kevin’s test with a shopping cart. The vehicle handled the test pretty well.

Let’s not forget, while I was waiting on an Uber a year ago, I saw Smart Summon in action during a sudden summer storm. I didn’t get to talk with the Tesla owner, but I did grab some video and you can watch the vehicle smoothly navigate the rainy weather and other cars while being summoned to its owner. (Note: I was stranded and Uber was telling me that there were no cars available. However, I was eventually able to get one and had to wait a while, which provided me the perfect opportunity to grab this video.)

https://twitter.com/JohnnaCrider1/status/1382433387462410240

Don’t let this viral video of a Tesla bumping into a jet fool you into thinking that all Teslas crash into airplanes now. It’s a truly odd edge case, and I agree with Whole Mars that it will make the technology even better.


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Johnna Crider

Johnna owns less than one share of $TSLA currently and supports Tesla's mission. She also gardens, collects interesting minerals and can be found on TikTok

Johnna Crider has 1996 posts and counting. See all posts by Johnna Crider