Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an augmented reality system for remote operators that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on June 12th, 2023, published on December 12th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0411306.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has explored the idea of using augmented reality (AR) in a variety of ways via more than one recently-published patent, including concepts for a remote parking control feature that would use cameras to capture images of an EV and transmit them to a smartphone or other device, as well as an augmented reality system for parking that would allow users to operate a vehicle remotely using a steering controller, which could then be used to maneuver the vehicle into a parking spot. Now, this newly published patent presents us with an idea for an augmented reality system for remote operators that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.
The idea here is to create a system that uses teleoperation – an act of operating a vehicle from a distance using a wireless connection without being in the direct line of sight of that vehicle. Instead, the person operating the vehicle relies on a screen that displays the vehicle’s direction of travel. From there, the operator would be able to remotely control that vehicle’s steering wheel, pedals, and other controls as needed.
The purpose of this patent, it seems, likely relates to Ford’s efforts to develop fully autonomous robotaxis, which could one day be hailed using smartphones and ridden around in without a human driver present. Though GM recently ditched its own robotaxi program, other automakers – including Ford and Tesla – are working on solutions of their own, with the latter even revealing its own robotaxi back in October. It remains to be seen when this type of technology might be roadworthy, but a system like the one proposed by this patent could help provide an extra layer of safety if and when it does.
Comments
Please just focus on reliable less expensive vehicles. Stop this EV robo nonsense.
Thank you: Dwayne D for saying that Like that & you took the phrase out of even my head!
Add this AI for self parking and retrieval. Many senior and limited mobility drivers will benefit from this. Dwayne does not want to age.
Remotely controlled automobiles is a terrible idea…unless you are a terrorist.
Taxi and big rig drivers are going to get outsourced to India. All these remote/autonomous vehicle concepts are about one thing–eliminating drivers. Because “driver” is the #1 most frequent job in the U.S. This is about eliminating labor costs and putting people out of work.
Amen, David!