In a remarkable demonstration of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, a Tesla owner recently avoided a $400 towing fee by remotely summoning their vehicle using the company’s AI-powered autonomous driving system. The incident, which the owner described as “delightfully chaotic” and quintessentially 2025, unfolded when the couple parked overnight in a loading zone, banking on the assumption that “they won’t tow on a Sunday.”
The next morning, while watching from their fifth-floor apartment window, the couple spotted a security guard preparing to have their Tesla towed. In a moment of panic, the owner started to sprint downstairs without shoes, until his wife had a crucial realization: they could use Tesla’s Summon feature to remotely move the car. From their breakfast table, the owner opened the Tesla mobile app, activated the Summon function, and watched as the vehicle autonomously woke up, navigated out of the loading zone, and drove itself to the building’s front door—arriving just in time for the owner to jump in.
Tesla’s FSD software relies heavily on computer vision and advanced AI technology to enable autonomous driving capabilities. The Summon feature specifically allows Tesla owners to remotely move their vehicles short distances without being inside, using the car’s array of cameras and sensors to navigate obstacles and parking situations.
The security guard, visibly stunned by the autonomous vehicle’s performance, asked if it was “like one of those Waymo things,” referencing the competing autonomous vehicle service. This prompted what the owner described as an “impromptu FSD TED Talk” about Tesla’s technology. The owner enthusiastically declared that FSD saved him $400, a trip to the tow yard, and cemented itself as his “best purchase ever.”
This real-world use case highlights how AI-powered autonomous driving technology is moving beyond theoretical applications into practical, everyday scenarios that deliver tangible value to consumers. The incident demonstrates the maturation of Tesla’s computer vision systems and their ability to handle unexpected situations autonomously.
Key Quotes
WAIT — just summon it!
The owner’s wife made this crucial realization as her husband was about to sprint downstairs to save their car from being towed. This moment captures how AI-powered features are becoming instinctive solutions to everyday problems, demonstrating the integration of autonomous technology into daily life.
like one of those Waymo things
The security guard’s question after witnessing the Tesla autonomously drive itself away highlights both the growing public awareness of autonomous vehicle technology and the competitive landscape between Tesla’s FSD and rival services like Waymo in the AI-powered transportation space.
FSD saved him $400, a trip to the tow yard, and cemented itself as his ‘best purchase ever.’
The owner’s enthusiastic assessment of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology demonstrates the tangible ROI that AI-powered features can deliver to consumers, moving beyond theoretical benefits to concrete financial savings and convenience in real-world scenarios.
Our Take
This incident perfectly encapsulates the current state of consumer AI: powerful, practical, and occasionally saving us from our own poor decisions. What’s particularly noteworthy is how naturally the technology integrated into a crisis moment—the wife’s instinct to use Summon rather than physical intervention shows we’re crossing a threshold where AI assistance becomes reflexive rather than novelty.
The security guard’s Waymo comparison is telling. It reveals that autonomous vehicles are entering public consciousness as a category, not just individual brands. This normalization is crucial for widespread adoption. However, the story also highlights a tension in the autonomous vehicle space: Tesla’s approach of gradually rolling out features to consumer vehicles versus Waymo’s controlled robotaxi model. This $400 save is exactly the kind of viral moment that validates Tesla’s strategy of putting AI-powered features in customers’ hands now, even as the technology continues to evolve. It’s guerrilla marketing powered by genuine utility.
Why This Matters
This story represents a significant milestone in demonstrating the practical, real-world value of AI-powered autonomous driving technology. While much of the discussion around self-driving cars focuses on future possibilities or controlled test environments, this incident shows how Tesla’s FSD technology is already delivering immediate, tangible benefits to consumers in unexpected ways.
The story matters for several reasons: First, it illustrates how AI technology is transitioning from novelty to necessity in consumers’ daily lives. The owner’s instinctive decision to use the Summon feature rather than physically running to the car shows how quickly autonomous features are becoming integrated into user behavior. Second, it provides compelling evidence for the ROI of AI-enhanced vehicles, with a single use case justifying a significant portion of the FSD subscription cost.
For the broader autonomous vehicle industry, this viral moment serves as organic marketing that money can’t buy, potentially accelerating consumer adoption of AI-powered driving features. It also highlights the competitive landscape, with the security guard’s comparison to Waymo underscoring the race among tech companies to dominate the autonomous vehicle market. As AI continues to mature, such practical applications will likely drive mainstream acceptance and regulatory support for autonomous driving technology.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-fsd-using-ai-avoid-getting-your-car-towed-2025-12