Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a cargo configuration system that may be used in future Ford autonomous vehicles (AVs), Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on January 5th, 2024, published on April 8th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12269326.
The Ford Authority Take
Though it is largely focused on Level 3 autonomy these days, Ford hasn’t reportedly given up on the idea of one day making its own fully-autonomous robotaxi for commercial purposes. In the meantime, we’ve seen Ford file a number of patents centered around potential features we might one day see in its AVs, including an augmented reality system for remote operators, a unique HVAC system for AVs, and even a system capable of taking occupants on various tours autonomously. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going with a new idea for a cargo configuration system that may be used in future Ford autonomous vehicles, too.
In this patent, we get a peek at a box-shaped AV that could be configured in many ways, one that’s designed to accommodate all kinds of cargo and, of course, passengers. There are movable seat assemblies located inside the cabin, along with different sized storage bins, all of which are designed to be moved around and fixed in various positions. It’s a rather ingenious concept, and one that would certainly make such a vehicle appealing – especially to commercial customers – if it does in fact come to fruition one day.
“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”
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