Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an automated maintenance assistant system, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on August 30th, 2018, published on September 13th, 2022, and assigned serial number 11443270.
The Ford Authority Take
In recent months, Ford has filed patents for both an integrated goods and services ordering system and an automotive insurance management system in its never-ending quest to automate as many processes as possible in the name of convenience. Now, this newly published Ford patent continues that trend by introducing an idea for an automated maintenance assistant system that could alert owners when things like low fluid levels need to be addressed in a different way.
The system outlined in this Ford patent uses a processor to determine when fluid levels are low and whether or not replacement fluids are available to be delivered directly to the customer, wherever the vehicle may be located. If it is, the system would notify the owner, allow them to purchase the fluids, and then take delivery via drone or other methods. Additionally, it seems as if roadside assistance could be used to meet the customer and add the fluids to the vehicle if needed, or if damage could occur if the vehicle is driven any further.
In a world where we can order just about anything and have it delivered by person, drone, or even autonomous vehicles in a matter of hours or days, this type of service seems like a natural extension that could help prevent more costly repairs later on by addressing the problem immediately and conveniently. Theoretically, a customer could be at work and not have to do anything to top their vehicle off with fluids, other than accept delivery and pay for it. As such, this certainly seems like an idea that could come to fruition at some point in the future.
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Comments
What do they need this service for, when all vehicles are suppose to eventually be EVs which really do not have any fluids, other then battery coolant and brake fluid.
I bought a used 2016 Ford focus SE and I’m not impressed with your double clutching system. Mind transmission sucks