Tesla Model 3
Watch Tesla Smart Summon react to a runaway “shopping cart” in latest obstacle test
Tesla Model 3 owner and electric car enthusiast Kevin Rooke performed an experiment with Smart Summon, showcasing its ability to react to moving obstacles in a simulated runaway shopping cart test.
Rooke performed a separate Smart Summon test in mid-November, where he put the software through its paces with an intense trap that would summon the vehicle into a river.
While Rooke noted his first test as helpful in terms of teaching him how well the Summon software works, he wanted to take it a step further. “I went back for another round of testing, I brought a bunch more objects with me, but this time, I had a twist,” Rooke said. “I wanted to see how a Tesla might react when the objects presented in front of it, all these obstacles, were moving.”
In the latest test, Rooke built a makeshift shopping cart with a skateboard on top of a laundry basket. Rooke used Summon’s “GO TO TARGET” button to have his Model 3 move in a straight line. While it was moving, he pushed the shopping cart in front of the vehicle. His Model 3 successfully recognized the approaching obstacle as it came closer to the driver’s side front quarter panel. In a second test of the shopping cart, the Model 3 once again successfully avoided the obstacle. It is safe to say that if this were a real shopping cart in a grocery store parking lot, colliding with it would do some cosmetic damage to the car’s exterior. Summon’s ability to avoid this object is beneficial for Tesla owners as it could save money in the event of a freely-rolling shopping cart.
The next test was a series of long, cylindrical balloons that resembled a tree branch. Rooke attached these to a string and stood far away from the car. As the Summon operated Model 3 recognized these balloons, it stopped with plenty of room to spare.
The more interesting tests were with basketballs and soccer balls. “We are going to do two tests, a bounce test…and then we’re just going to do a rolling test afterward to see what the sensors pick up,” Rooke said. The car did not recognize the basketball on the first bouncing test, but did see it on the second attempt. While the car made contact with the basketball, it did successfully stop immediately afterward.
The rolling test of the basketball proved to be where Summon is in need of improvement. The vehicle’s sensors did not recognize the ball, ran over it, and popped it. Rooke subsequently tested other balls of smaller dimensions, but they yielded the same results.
Impressed by the performance of Summon when confronted with the shopping cart, Rooke shared some thoughts at the end of the video. “Smart Summon will stop for large obstacles that are moving even if they happen to come from the side of the car,” Rooke said. “If there is a rogue shopping cart in a mall parking lot, you do not want your car driving into it. You want your car to stop. That was the correct decision.” When talking about the basketball test however, Rooke certainly feels that a ball of that size should be recognized by the vehicle’s sensors, and it is evident Tesla could use some improvement in this category. “Imagine a toddler crawling behind a car or a small animal crossing in front of the path of the car. Those are things that you want the car to stop for and recognize,” he added.
Noting that the previous test did display that it recognized small pylons, it is not correct to assume the car’s sensors do not recognize them at all. It is more reasonable to assume that the feature just needs to be improved upon. Judging on Tesla’s frequent software updates, the company will likely confront these concerns and do what it can to fix them.
You can watch Kevin Rooke’s second Smart Summon test below.
Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.
It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.
The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.
With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:
“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”
The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.
For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.
Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.
This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.
Tesla has revealed an awesome Model 3 and Model Y incentive to help consumers make the jump to one of its affordable mass-market vehicles, but it’s ending soon.
Tesla is offering one free upgrade on eligible inventory of the Model 3 and Model Y until February 2.
This would help buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost, meaning white interior or a more premium paint option will be free of charge if you take delivery on or before February 2.
Tesla states on its website for the offer:
“Only for limited inventory while supplies last. Price displayed on inventory listings already deducts the cost of the free option.”
Tesla says its one free upgrade offer on eligible U.S. inventory for the Model 3 and Model Y ends February 2.
With this incentive, buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost (up to $2k in savings). pic.twitter.com/IhoiURrsDI
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 21, 2026
This latest incentive is just another advantage Tesla has by selling its vehicles directly and not using some sort of dealership model that relies on approvals from higher-ups. It is important to note that these programs are offered to help stimulate demand and push vehicles into customers’ hands.
It is not the only incentive Tesla is currently offering, either. In fact, there is a much larger incentive program that Tesla is working on, and it has to do with Full Self-Driving transfers, which could result in even more sales for the company through Q1.
Tesla is ending its FSD Transfer program on March 31, as it plans to transition to a Subscription-only basis with the self-driving suite for anyone who has not already purchased it outright.
This could help drive some on-the-fence buyers to new vehicles, but it remains to be seen. Given the timing of the program’s demise, it appears Tesla is hoping to use it to add additional sales and bolster a strong Q1 2026.
Interior and exterior paint colors can add up to $2,000 if you choose the most premium Ultra Red body color, or an additional $1,000 for the Black and White interior option. The discount, while small, could help get someone their preferred design configuration, instead of settling for something that is not quite what they want.
Tesla is dominating in the United Kingdom so far through 2025, and with about two weeks left in the year, the Model Y and Model 3 are leading the way.
The Model Y and Model 3 are the two best-selling electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it’s not particularly close.
According to data gathered by EU-EVs, the Model Y is sitting at 18,890 units for the year, while the Model 3 is slightly behind with 16,361 sales for the year so far.
The next best-selling EV is the Audi Q4 e-tron at 10,287 units, lagging significantly behind but ahead of other models like the BMW i4 and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
GOOD NEWS 🇬🇧 Tesla is absolutely crushing the UK electric vehicle market in 2025 💥
The numbers are in, and the dominance is clear. With an impressive amount of 42,270 vehicles delivered year-to-date, the brand now commands a solid 9.6% market share of the total auto market 🆒… pic.twitter.com/dkiGX9kzd0
— Ming (@tslaming) December 18, 2025
The Model Y has tasted significant success in the global market, but it has dominated in large markets like Europe and the United States.
For years, it’s been a car that has fit the bill of exactly what consumers need: a perfect combination of luxury, space, and sustainability.
Both vehicles are going to see decreases in sales compared to 2024; the Model Y was the best-selling car last year, but it sold 32,610 units in the UK. Meanwhile, the Model 3 had reached 17,272 units, which will keep it right on par with last year.
Tesla sold 50,090 units in the market last year, and it’s about 8,000 units shy of last year’s pace. It also had a stronger market share last year with 13.2 percent of the sales in the market. With two weeks left in 2025, Tesla has a 9.6 percent market share, leading Volkswagen with 8 percent.
The company likely felt some impact from CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and, more specifically, his role with DOGE. However, it is worth mentioning that some months saw stronger consumer demand than others. For example, sales were up over 20 percent in February. A 14 percent increase followed this in June.
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