Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a tank turn and crab walk mode that may be used in future Ford EVs, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on August 31st, 2022, published on October 21st, 2025, and assigned serial number 12447969.
There are certain electric vehicles out there that already offer things like the ability to "crab walk" - such as the GMC Hummer EV - as well as perform a "tank turn," which has been promised for the second-generation Rivian R1S and R1T, though that feature is currently delayed. In the meantime, Ford has explored these concepts via multiple patents centered around ideas like a tank turn-type feature, an updated version of that filing, and a crawl mode for four-wheel steering.
Now, that trend continues with a freshly published patent centered around an idea for a tank turn/crab walk mode that may wind up being used in future Ford EVs, too. It's pretty similar to what we've seen in the past, in that this system would enable a user to turn the front and rear wheels independently of each other and in different directions, using steering wheel inputs. The system would then use those inputs to execute a variety of moves - including tank turns, crab walking, or something like the existing Trail Turn Assist feature.
If nothing else, this new patent is a clear sign that Ford continues to explore ways it could add such features to its future EVs, efforts that date back several years to this point. However, others - including Rivian - have thus far struggled to implement them effectively, so it makes sense that Ford would spend a bit more time hashing things out before adding it to production vehicle.
"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."
Its first public outing in quite some time.
It lived with the original owner until just a couple of months ago.
It could cause production stoppages as soon as this month.
Thankfully, no workers were injured.
