Future Ford Pickups Could Get Ground Penetrating Tailgate Sensor

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a penetrating tailgate sensor that may be used in future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on January 28^th, 2022, published on November 12^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 12140663.

The Ford Authority Take

In the hyper-competitive world of pickup trucks, Ford and its rivals have reinvented the humble tailgate in a number of ways in recent years, giving that particular part a lot more functionality. However, that trend figures to continue for the foreseeable future, and in recent months, we’ve seen Ford file patents for ideas such as a variety of tailgate attachments, a different kind of Pro Access Tailgate, and a power tailgate with an ID system, to name just a few. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going by presenting us with an idea for a penetrating tailgate sensor that may be used in future Ford pickups, too.

If this patent comes to fruition, our future Ford pickups may come equipped with ground-penetrating radar systems that are currently used for a variety of reasons – whether that be to locate utility lines buried underground, pre-construction inspections, looking for hidden wear on roads or bridges, or even by law enforcement to scan crime scenes. Typically, these types of systems are used via trailer attachments or portable carts that are human operated and emit high-frequency radio waves into the ground, though they’re also quite costly and labor intensive to use.

Thus, Ford proposes a tailgate-based alternative that could be operated by simply lowering that body panel, then driving around the area that one wants to inspect, for whatever purpose. Additionally, the system could scan upward if so desired, helping to detect things in that direction. It’s an interesting idea for certain, and perhaps one that may be used for other purposes in the future – beyond what we’re seeing today, at least.