Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Advanced Accessory Interface

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an advanced accessory interface that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on March 4^th, 2022, published on June 25^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 12019855.

The Ford Authority Take

In recent months, Ford has filed quite a few patents that aim to make its future models a bit smarter – a list that includes ideas for a side view mirror assembly with off-roading and security features, a power tailgate with an ID system, and a lift assist system with repositioning. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going, this time, by presenting us with an idea for an advanced accessory interface that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

These days, vehicle owners are adding more and more accessories to those vehicles than ever before, whether they come from auto manufacturers or third-party companies. Oftentimes, these items are controlled via switches or buttons mounted inside the cabin, but in many cases, those can wind up cluttering things up a bit – or require wiring and other forms of installation, which can be problematic for some.

Thus, Ford proposes adding an improved accessory interface that would be capable of controlling all of these things in one convenient place. This single screen could even be able to detect when new accessories are installed and add functionality automatically, after which it would receive its own dedicated control on the interface, which could be present in a vehicle’s infotainment screen. It’s an interesting idea for sure, and one that we imagine plenty of folks – including those that modify their vehicles with lighting, winches, and other off-road gear – would appreciate.

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 ongoing Ford news coverage.