Ford patents automotive know-how that drives again to dealership if funds are missed

As automakers are patenting automotive applied sciences for self-driving vehicles, Ford right here has a brand new fascinating patent. It’s the characteristic the place the automotive drives itself to the dealership if the proprietor misses their funds. The patent was revealed final week demonstrating Ford’s Techniques and Strategies to Resposses a automobile know-how. It could require the proprietor to make correct funds for his or her automobile to get their automotive again.

Within the submitting, Ford explains {that a} automobile proprietor would obtain a message “pertaining to a discover of delinquency of a vehicle-related cost” after which be given a time frame to answer it. Ought to it not be addressed, a pc would “disable a performance of a part of the automobile or might place the automobile in a lockout situation.” Though the lockout situation might be lifted in case of an emergency, like going to a hospital or police station. Ford filed the patent in August 2021 though it has not been granted but.

The patent additional outlines potential points automobile homeowners may face ought to they not reply to messages of a missed cost. That is a part of their proposed “multi-step repossession process” which begins with disabling elements in a “primary-use” class after which “first-level optional-use” and “second-level optionally available use.”

Lacking funds

Parts of the first use embody the automotive’s engine, brakes, fuel pedal, steering wheel, or doorways. Ought to a automobile proprietor proceed to overlook funds, elements of the first-level optional-use can be disabled just like the GPS, MP3 participant, cruise management, and extra. Then the second-level optional-use elements might be disabled just like the air-con system, key fob, and computerized door lock system.

In one other instance, Ford stated a automobile proprietor may additionally face an “incessant and unsightly sound each time the proprietor is current within the automobile” ought to they fail to answer missed funds. And will none of these work, the ultimate and final step can be the automotive bodily taking itself to a repo firm. “In some instances, the automobile could be a semi-autonomous automobile and the repossession system laptop might cooperate with the automobile laptop within the semi-autonomous automobile from the premises of the proprietor to a location akin to, for instance, repossession company the premises of a lending establishment, an impound pound, or some other pre-designated location,” the patent says.  It’s unclear if the know-how behind Ford’s patent is feasible. The corporate pulled the plug on its self-driving know-how improvement final 12 months.