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A Ford patent application emerged last year proposing a technology that would enable the brand’s vehicles to repossess themselves. In essence, if payments were missed on a Ford equipped with autonomous driving features, the vehicle would autonomously leave the premises and contact a tow truck. However, Ford seems to have halted its efforts on this self-retrieval technology, given that the patent is now marked as “abandoned.”
As per the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Ford’s self-retrieval patent submission was abandoned due to “Failure to Respond to an Office Action” on October 20, 2023. It appears that the automaker allowed it to lapse. Perhaps in light of the negative public reaction following the initial unveiling of the application, many individuals found the technology somewhat too futuristic.
Ford, The Drive
The concept aimed to simplify repossession for Ford and lienholders, being feasible on any Ford with an entertainment system supporting over-the-air updates. If the vehicle possessed autonomous capabilities, Ford could enable it to self-drive from its initial location, like the owner’s driveway, to a more convenient spot for towing, such as the roadside. In extreme cases, it could even navigate itself to a scrapyard. For vehicles lacking self-driving capabilities, the software could immobilize the vehicle, hindering the owner from moving it and keeping it stationary for the tow truck.
It is also plausible that Ford never fully embraced the idea of self-retrieving cars. Automakers routinely file patents for technologies they may not have immediate plans to implement, using it as a means to preserve concepts for future consideration or to gauge public sentiment. Regardless of the rationale, it’s safe to assume that we’re relieved this technology won’t be hitting the market anytime soon.
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