Gary Zhou 
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk has teased a new “Banish” feature for Tesla vehicles, which aims to enhance smart parking.
- Banish would allow for completely hands-off parking, pairing well with the Assisted Smart Summon (ASS).
- Tesla is currently collecting data from various parking scenarios to refine this feature.
- Although exciting, Banish’s release may still take time as Tesla ensures it can handle diverse parking environments.
- The recent FSD (Supervised) v14.1 update has introduced specified parking tasks for drivers to select different parking scenarios.
In the ever-evolving landscape of autonomous technology, Tesla continues to push the boundaries with its innovative features. One of the most exciting developments in their pipeline is the teased “Banish” feature, which aims to revolutionize smart parking for Tesla vehicles. This feature promises to enhance the driving experience by allowing completely hands-off parking, and it is designed to work seamlessly with Tesla’s Assisted Smart Summon (ASS).
Understanding the “Banish” Feature
The Banish feature is a bold step towards achieving the vision of a truly autonomous vehicle. It represents Tesla’s commitment to developing a fully driverless parking capability. When fully realized, Banish would enable Tesla owners to arrive at their destination, exit the vehicle, and leave it to find its own parking spot. At the end of the visit, the vehicle would autonomously return to pick up its passengers.
Key Features of Banish:
- Hands-Off Parking: Allowing drivers to drop off their car and trust it to park itself efficiently.
- Integration with ASS: Working in tandem with Tesla’s existing smart summon feature to enhance ease-of-use.
- Data-Driven Development: The feature depends on vast data collection to ensure it operates effectively in varied scenarios.
The Role of Assisted Smart Summon (ASS)
Before diving deeper into the Banish feature, it’s essential to understand how Assisted Smart Summon plays a foundational role. Introduced as a significant improvement over the Summon feature, ASS allows Tesla vehicles to navigate complex parking lots semi-autonomously to reach their owner’s location.
How does Assisted Smart Summon (ASS) work?
- Navigation: Using a combination of advanced sensors, cameras, and pathfinding algorithms to move safely around obstacles.
- Safety Protocols: Continually analyzing the environment to ensure the route is clear, and adjusting speed and route based on conditions.
- User-Controlled: Offers Tesla owners control over their vehicle’s movements through the Tesla app.
The Development Journey of Banish
While the Banish feature sounds promising, its realization is contingent upon rigorous testing and data gathering. As highlighted, Tesla is currently in the phase of collecting extensive data during parking tasks across various environments. The recent FSD (Supervised) v14.1 update plays a crucial role by introducing specified parking tasks that allow users to choose the type of parking scenario, thereby collecting diverse real-world data.
Estimated Timeline for Release
Given the complexity and safety considerations involved in rolling out a feature like Banish, it may be some time before Tesla is ready to release it to the public. The development will focus on ensuring that the Banish feature can handle:
- Varied Environments: Adaptability to different parking environments, such as curbsides, driveways, and parking garages.
- Safety: Developing a proven track record of handling lots and parking autonomously but safely.
- Regulatory Approval: Securing necessary regulatory approvals for fully autonomous vehicle operations.
The Road Ahead
As Tesla continues to innovate and expand its autonomous capabilities, features like Banish signal a future where driving becomes more convenient and less burdensome. While there is still a journey ahead, the promise of autonomous parking aligns with Tesla’s larger mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable and autonomous transport.
