Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a camera designed to detect the presence of pets that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on January 10th, 2022, published on April 8th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12269423.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed a number of patents in recent years that are focused on one particular thing – our pets. These filings have included ideas for things like a system designed to monitor animals in a garage, a large animal detection system, a system capable of disabling controls around pets, and a pet detection system, to name just a few. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going, this time, with an idea for a camera designed to detect the presence of pets that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.
In this particular case, Ford envisions a system that can use captured images of a pet to identify their presence, as well as change various vehicle functions as a result. It would work much the same as a typical user recognition system, relying on a camera to detect the presence of a pet, and then, whether or not the pet is inside or outside of the vehicle, as well as whether it’s standing up or laying down.
For example, if the pet is standing near a door inside of the vehicle, the system could open it automatically to let it out, and if it’s panting and laying down, it could adjust the HVAC temp to help cool the pet off. It could also lower the running board if the pet is standing near the vehicle wanting to get in, or even alert the owner if the animal is walking with a limp.
“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.”
Comments
This is a useless idea. I carry my dogs around every month , I use a “Four Paws” riding harness that is attachef to the seat belt, and I NEVER leave them in the car unattended or forgotten! I treat them as my children.
That dog in the photo looks sad. Probably because he can’t hang his head out the window. Which I don’t think people should let their dog do that either.