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Ford is trying to patent a technology that would allow cars to take ownership of themselves.
As first spotted by The Drive, Ford’s patent application entitled “Systems and Methods for Repossessing Vehicles” was issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 23, although it was filed with the agency on August 20, 2021.
The document describes using the vehicle’s built-in data connection to remotely disable “the function of one or more vehicle components,” which would serve as a warning if the owner missed a car payment.
Ford vehicle repossession system patent image
According to the document, disabling will begin with features such as “cruise control, automatic window control, automatic seat control, and some components of the infotainment system (Global Positioning System (GPS) radio, MP3 player, etc.),” escalating to functionality. such as “AC system, remote key fob, and automatic door lock/unlock system.” If that wasn’t annoying enough, an “unrelenting and unpleasant sound” could be played “every time the owner is present in the vehicle”.
If the bank still doesn’t receive payment after that, the vehicle can lock up the owner, although the documents claim use of the vehicle will be reactivated for emergency situations, explaining the use of onboard sensors to judge whether the emergency is legal.
Sensors could also be used to determine if a vehicle is in a garage, and if it isn’t, the patent application describes using built-in autonomous driving capabilities to assist re-possession, either by positioning the vehicle so that it can be more easily retrieved by a crane. truck, or take it away.
Ford vehicle repossession system patent image
“In other cases, the vehicle may become an autonomous vehicle and the repossession system computer may work together with the vehicle computer to move the vehicle autonomously from the owner’s premises to a location, such as, for example, a repossession agent’s premises, a lending institution’s premises, a foreclosure premises , or other predetermined location.”
“Predefined location” can also include a landfill. The lending institution can analyze the market value of the vehicle and, if determined to be below the financial viability threshold for repossession, “the repossession system computer can cooperate with the vehicle computer to move the vehicle autonomously from the owner’s lot to the junkyard.
Such a system would rely on autonomous driving technology that Ford recently restricted. The automaker, along with Volkswagen, ended further investment in startup Argo AI last year, forcing it to close.
Nor do patent applications always signal production intent. Ford in particular regularly peppers the USPTO with patent applications, even if they don’t sound as dystopian as this one.
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