Ford Patent Application Seeks to Give Its Cars Surveillance Capability
The story arguably broke on Newsweek.com last week with this provocative statement: “Ford, one of the world’s largest U.S.-based automakers, is trying to patent an invention that could allow cars to monitor the speed of other vehicles and share traffic violation reports with and between police cars—a technology that could revolutionize speed surveillance on the road.”
That’s right: Ford’s “Systems and Methods for Detecting Speeding Violations” patent request could lead to drivers of its products tattling on each other for exceeding the speed limit. In it, Ford explores the option to use the tech in its cars to monitor other driver’s speeds. If the speeding vehicle is close enough, the car could use onboard cameras to photograph it, including photos of the driver, the license plate, and other identifying characteristics. Those photos, plus details on the speeding violation, could then be forwarded to a nearby police car or a roadside data terminal.
Ford has responded to inquiries by saying that only professional law enforcement vehicles would get the equipment, but the possibility exists that if granted, it could make its way to consumer and fleet vehicles.
To wit, while the patent application says it certainly prefers that it is used by law enforcement officers, “In other scenarios, the [radar-equipped] vehicle can be driven by various other types of individuals, such as, for example, an emergency services responder or a private security officer.”
And, while speeding is the violation that has grabbed headlines, evidently Ford’s tech is capable of identifying quite a bit more: “It must be further understood that the description herein refers to detecting speeding violations, which is merely one example of a traffic violation,” the application says. “Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein are equally applicable to any of various other types of traffic violations including for example, improper lane changes, rash driving, driving with an expired license, driving with no registration, driving under the influence, etc.
“Thus, in an example scenario, a speeding violation responder system may capture an image in accordance with the disclosure upon detecting a vehicle that is weaving haphazardly (even if traveling below a speed limit). The motion of the vehicle may be indicative of the vehicle being driven by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol.”
There’s also this: “In another example scenario, the [surveillance-equipped] vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and the vehicle controller performs some or all of various operations that may replicate those performed by the law-enforcement officer.” In other words, this technology may be employed on autonomous vehicles to report a violation to law enforcement.
The website Therecord.media requested a statement from Ford, and received this response via email: “The patent explicitly states this idea for a system is specific for application in law enforcement vehicles, such as the Ford Police Interceptor, as it would automate a capability that law enforcement already have in use today, except this could utilize the built-in systems and sensors in law enforcement vehicles in the future,” a Ford spokesperson said.
There’s no argument that having Big Brother look over our shoulders constantly could reduce speeding, and taking that at face value, maybe it’s a good idea. But there’s still something profoundly creepy about it.
It remains to be seen if Ford’s patent will be granted. Similar tech has been sought before, although in an era when the tech was profoundly less capable. With language that is very similar to that used in Ford’s “Systems and Methods for Detecting Speeding Violations” patent request, this patent application, “System and Method for Detecting and Identifying Traffic Law Violators and Issuing Citations,” was applied for in 2001 and granted in 2004.
Inventor William E. Zierden came right out and said that a civilian automobile could be fitted with his device, the SPDcam: “In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the SPDCam device is mounted to a source vehicle, normally a motor vehicle, such as a police car or private automobile, which can be either mobile or stationary.” Zierden let his patent expire in 2021.
Not only will I not purchase any more Ford products, I will also stay away from new Fords on the road if this freedom stifling patent is granted. Henry liked Hitler prior to the War too…..
I’m sure you have Ford shivering in their boots 😂😂
The transmission went out in my explorer at 60k miles. It was my first and last Ford and it’s been 20 years. Never again.
This patent is creepy as heck and it will for sure turn some customers away.
I agree. Ford has made some real “turn-off” moves in recent times for various reasons, some fairly valid, but consumers don’t always care about reasons, they just like or dislike the end results. And they spend their money based on likes and/or dislikes…
Transmission problems is why I junked my two GMs.
Well this is a very sticky one. So they want to sell cars that will tell on everyone else? This will not go well. I can see lawsuits and I can see damage done to these cars if found. Big brother is watching but this is over the bounds.
I know the plate belongs to the state so that info can be shared. But as for my location I think that would be against my rights to have it reported just as it can be illegal to use an Apple Tracker on someones car with out their knowledge.
Steve Lehto just did a video on this. Might check it out.
Maybe Ford would be better off developing a system that would cars from being stolen or car jacked.
shoule be prevent cars from being stolen
LOL, I hope the cloud has plenty of memory space. Here in Maine the speed limit on the interstate is generally 70, with a significant portion in Northern Maine 75mph. I am routinely passed by little girls in little cars doing at least 85 (because I’m doing 80)
Another reason not to buy
Like Ford needs another reason to be hated.
I’d rather such efforts be directed at distracted driving than enabling every Karen and/or other wingnut deciding to punish other drivers. It would be nice if Ford’s aim is to patent and then bury such tech, but that’s a pretty slim and vaporous hope.
This tech is likely to trickle down to all the other manufacturers. And if the tech fails, do you get a CEL light requiring you to have it repaired so you can pass your state’s emissions test or state inspection? It’s not like the EPA and Justice Department would collude to require manufacturers to do this, would they? Oh goodness no.
Still another reason not to purchase a new car…
“maybe it’s a good idea”. Maybe the writter should get back on his bicycle and quit thinking he knows anything about cars and car people.
You should look up the author’s credentials before you say that.
Maybe for should try to work on build quality before going all big brother on everyone. No thanks.
I totally agree, Gary! We have more than enough intrusions on our privacy already! I gave up on Ford many years ago. This would be another reason to keep me from buying any of their “products” ever again. Just say NO to BIG BROTHER!!!
We don’t need to invite big brother into every new car on the road – which this tech would ultimately do.
Instead of focusing on speeding, let’s focus on driver training. Unlike many countries, it takes very little to get a license in the US and having a license doesn’t make you a good driver.
Likewise, the speed limits are set for the safety of the biggest vehicles on the roads (like big trucks and buses), so speeding – within reason – doesn’t make one a bad driver.
I’d rather be around a good driver that’s speeding than a distracted driver or just a poor driver that drives excessively slow and leaves others at risk.
If the car enthusiasts community had a strong lobbying presence (think NRA) this type of technology would be DOA. No matter what your automotive preferences are we need to unite. Hagerty here is a chance for you to really do great things for the enthusiasts. Start a political lobbying arm. funded it through membership fees. I am confident that there are tens of thousands of vehicle loving people willing to contribute. “United we stand divided we fall”
Sounds like Ford has been taken over by the government also. Just another way for them to tell people how to live their lives. It’s time to take a stand and stop government control in a country that is supposed to be free.
Calm down, folks. It’s for use in police cars. Using it in regular civilian vehicles almost certainly would not stand up to court challenges.