Future Ford Vehicles Could Disable Controls Around Pets

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a system capable of disabling controls around pets that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on May 4^th, 2023, published on October 1^st, 2024, and assigned serial number 12103547.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has filed a bevy of patents aimed at making the lives of pet owners a bit easier over the years, introducing us to ideas including a new type of dog harness, a pet detection system, seats that automatically adjust for pets, a complex restraint system, and a pet mode, to name just a few. Now, this newly filed patent aims to prevent pets from accidentally pressing things that perhaps they shouldn’t via an idea for a system capable of disabling controls around pets that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

Lots of pet owners transport those animals inside of their vehicle for a wide number of reasons, whether that be to take them to the vet, a park, someone else’s house, a pet sitter, or just to the local supply store to pick out a new toy. However, as Ford points out in the patent, pets typically don’t sit still in vehicles when they’re being transported – especially if they’re not restrained. Problem is, those pets could easily hit buttons or other controls that could change settings or do other things owners may not want to occur.

Thus, this proposed system would put a stop to that by first determining if a pet is in a vehicle and where they’re located, after which it could disable controls near the pet. The system would also be able to change input functions to a touchscreen if needed, or even warn the user if it detects random or continuous pressure on user controls. It’s an interesting idea for sure, and one that may prove useful for pet owners if it becomes a reality.