The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla's 'Actually Smart Summon' technology, a feature that lets drivers summon parked cars remotely, following several reported accidents.

This probe focuses on approximately 2.6 million Tesla vehicles produced since 2016, encompassing models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, after it was found that cars in "Actually Smart Summon" mode failed to detect obstacles like posts or parked vehicles.

Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk's claims that self-driving tech is safer than traditional driving and is the future of mobility, the NHTSA has identified at least four crashes associated with this feature, introduced in September, where vehicles are maneuvered via a smartphone app. Additionally, around twelve incidents were noted with the earlier 'Smart Summon' function.

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No injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents, yet the investigation could escalate concerns about the safety and reliability of Tesla's autonomous features. This scrutiny comes alongside other NHTSA probes into Tesla's Autopilot system, some following fatal accidents.

The investigation aims to assess the speed limits of vehicles when 'Actually Smart Summon' is active, alongside examining usage restrictions to ensure they're not employed on public roads. Tesla's guidance explicitly states this feature should only be used in private, familiar settings like driveways, with a clear line of sight maintained.

The timing of this probe is noteworthy, occurring just before Donald Trump's inauguration, who has promised significant reductions in regulation and government expenditure, affecting potentially how such investigations might proceed under his administration.