Future Ford Vehicles Could Utilize Smart Claws For Cargo

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for cargo area smart claws that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on September 13^th, 2022, published on October 7^th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12437255.

The Ford Authority Take

In recent times, Ford has published a handful of patents that revolve around different ways it could make future delivery vehicles more efficient. Those filings include concepts for things like an automated loading system and even a modular container setup to help out in terms of keeping things more organized. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going, this time, with a new idea for cargo area smart claws that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

In this case, Ford is exploring the use of smart claws to load and unload packages from the cargo area of a delivery vehicle, which in this case would be necessary, as it’s focused squarely on autonomous models. An upper and lower claw would move alongside a set of rails inside the cargo area, shifting packages around as needed, and doing all the heavy lifting in that regard. This system would work hand (er, claw) in hand with a cargo management system, enabling it to know precisely where each package is located and retrieve it quickly – a very useful concept, it it comes to fruition.

“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.”