Future Ford Vehicles Could Be Used To Dig Holes

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a one-wheel dig mode that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on February 6^th, 2025, published on August 5^th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12377832.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has been exploring the idea of adding a “tank turn” like feature to its vehicles for years now. In fact, it first filed a patent for a tank turn feature back in April 2022, and published an updated version of that same idea roughly one year later. Now, this newly published patent presents us with a somewhat similar idea for a one-wheel dig mode, though it would be used to do something far different than drastically reduce a vehicle’s turning radius off-road.

In this case, Ford’s latest idea revolves around the concept of using one wheel/tire of a vehicle to actually dig holes, which seems rather odd at first, but it’s also potentially useful for those that don’t want to break out a shovel to do so, or perhaps don’t have one handy. The system would accomplish this by applying the brakes to three of four wheels when the feature is activated, after which the user can simply hit the pedal. Once the hole is ready, the system could also deactivate that feature automatically and inform the driver, which would also happen if it detects that a person is standing nearby.

“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.”