Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Hydroplaning Management System

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a hydroplaning management system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on February 10^th, 2023, published on August 15^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 12071094.

The Ford Authority Take

Back in March 2022, Ford filed a patent for a hydroplaning prevention system that was specifically focused on preventing hydroplaning, or what most refer to when a vehicle loses control on a wet surface. That proposed system would use sensors, weather reports, and topographical data to determine when and where hydroplaning could occur, then either find a way around the hazard or control the steering and throttle/brakes to prevent the vehicle from spiraling out of control. Now, this newly published patent takes that idea a step further by introducing a hydroplaning management system, which may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

In this case, the concept isn’t about avoiding areas where hydroplaning might occur, but rather, dealing with that phenomenon if it does indeed happen. The system would accomplish that by once again collecting weather data, as well as leaning on sensors to determine when a vehicle is unstable because of standing water in the road.

If it detects that a vehicle is about to hydroplane or lose control, the system would intervene much the way traction control and stability control systems do – in this case, by altering the direction or speed of each individual wheel. As Ford points out in the patent, there are many ways to prevent hydroplaning from occurring, whether that be not driving on worn out tires or driving at slower speeds in heavy rain – but this type of system could help ensure that it becomes even less likely to occur, regardless.

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