Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Seatbacks With Attachable Modular Accessory

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for seatbacks with an attachable modular accessory that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on October 30^th, 2023, published on May 1^st, 2025, and assigned serial number 136014.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has explored a number of ways to make the interiors of its future models more modular in nature via more than one recent patent filing – presenting us with ideas for things like seats with sliding drawers and steps, as well as a modular interface for screens and USB ports. Now, it has published a patent for something else that’s quite interesting and potentially useful, should it become a reality – seatbacks with an attachable modular accessory that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

In this case, Ford envisions making the seats in its future vehicles more modular by adding a special seatback that’s configured to hold any number of accessories. In the patent filing, we’re treated to a series of images showing off some of those accessories – which include a collapsable storage bin, a storage tray for things like drinks and books, a phone or tablet holder, a storage area with a lid, or a net-style barrier. There’s also a concept that shows off the seats folding forward and creating a large, flat area, with seatbacks forming a hard surface that one could then use as a sleeping or storage area.

“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.”