The same company that previously attempted to patent self-repossessing cars and then allowed that patent application to lapse has unveiled a new concept that may not sit well with most drivers. A recent submission to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, published on July 18, entitled “Systems and Methods for Detecting Speeding Violations,” outlines a method for Ford vehicles to monitor the speeds of nearby cars using built-in cameras and sensors, with the potential to report speeding violations to law enforcement.
UPDATE 7/31/2024 @ 3:30p ET: Following the publication, Ford issued a statement to clarify that this concept is specifically designed for law enforcement vehicles, such as the Ford Police Interceptor. This system aims to automate capabilities already in use by law enforcement, utilizing the vehicle’s built-in systems and sensors. The patent application does not suggest that data from consumers’ vehicles would be shared with law enforcement, contrary to reports by some media outlets. It is important to note that patent applications are meant to protect innovative ideas but do not necessarily indicate forthcoming business or product launches.
Nonetheless, the document indicates that the technology could also be applied to non-police vehicles operated by various agencies, including ambulances, government fleets, and private security vehicles. The rest of the article continues below.
The application, reported by Motor Authority, includes a flowchart on page six detailing how the system would operate. According to the illustration, a vehicle would constantly collect speed data from surrounding traffic using radar or lidar. If a vehicle is identified as exceeding a “threshold speed limit”—whether this is a legally posted limit or another standard is yet to be determined—the system would activate the camera and begin recording. Additionally, it would “identify one or more distinctive features of the second vehicle” to create a record that may assist authorities in tracking it down. This data would then be sent to connected monitoring devices and/or law enforcement, which would decide if action should be taken against the speeding driver.
The patent suggests multiple functionalities for the recording system. One option includes a 360-degree camera or a network of cameras to capture all activities around the vehicle. Another idea involves handing over camera control to the police during these instances, potentially allowing them to navigate the camera using a joystick. Furthermore, the patent emphasizes the value that this extensive data could provide in legal proceedings.
We don’t need to explain the potential concerns regarding the slippery slope of non-police vehicles being used to report on the public. Many of us have experienced moments when a car speeds past on the highway, prompting thoughts like, “Where are the cops when you need them?” If this system is implemented to deter extreme and reckless speeding, it could have positive outcomes. However, a long-standing issue with technology is that it can never be fully controlled once introduced into society.
In a time when intelligent speed governors are becoming popular among policymakers worldwide, one might think authorities would prefer to bypass the complexity of cars sending footage of each other and instead go straight to automatically fining drivers for speeding. Meanwhile, Ford’s technology is not guaranteed to reach the road; companies frequently file patents, and many remain hypothetical concepts that never come to fruition. This is a relief, as there are numerous questions that both lawmakers and car manufacturers must address before proceeding with such developments.
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