Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a vehicle damage identification system, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on October 6th, 2020, published on January 24th, 2023, and assigned serial number 11562570
The Ford Authority Take
In recent years, Ford has filed patents for a handful of ideas related to damaged parts or accident notification, including one for a missing vehicular body part detection system and another for a car accident advisement system. Now, this new Ford patent continues that trend by introducing an idea for a vehicle damage identification system, which could determine when an accident has occurred, activate a camera to record the damage, and then send that information to the appropriate party.
This Ford patent isn’t just reserved for accidents, however – it could help out in the event that other types of damage occur – like parking lot dings, scratches, and dents – the kinds of things that owners often may not notice until later on. The system portrayed in this patent would be able to distinguish between these types of damages, determine the intensity of the incident, and then fill out a claim form and send that information to insurance agencies, rental companies, the vehicle owner, or even police.
This is certainly an interesting idea, and could presumably put an end to things like hit and runs, whether they be while the vehicle is moving or when it’s parked. If a vehicle is capable of capturing the offending vehicle (or person’s) information and then communicate it to the appropriate authorities, there would be little recourse in the event that someone causes damage to a vehicle and attempts to get away with it without suffering any repercussions.
We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Ford … how about you “shelve” all the nonsense ideas, and introducing one new whiz/bank model classification for the Bronco, Maverick, etc and just figure out ways to build those vehicles that people have ordered. I’ve wanted a Maverick since day, and no availability, and when we did see one the dealer marked it up $5,000 dollars over retail and then added suspicious markups for fabric protection, paint protection, etc totaling $1,000 or more that can’t be seen with the naked eye. This has made a loyal Ford customer look elsewhere, and maybe decide I don’t want a pickup anymore, your competition from Ram/Jeep is dealing and offering rebate money … they’ve got my attention.
Sometimes I am left with the impression that Ford does not have a lot to talk about ‘in the new to you’ category. I can get most of this by watching old ‘Star Trek’ reruns:)
How does it identify the vehicle that caused the damage? What specific info about that vehicle does it gather? It would need to record a VIN or plate which would be next to impossible. Another useless patent.