Ford files for a patent allowing autonomous cars to drive away from owners who can’t keep up with payments

Cars with electronics have long ceased to be something new and amazing. But as cutting-edge technologies such as AI and “always connected” systems begin to be integrated into vehicles, you can see how the automotive industry seeks to catch up with such advances and use it for its own purposes.

Manufacturer’s financial security

While BMW strives to secure its active use of modern technological innovations, other automotive creators are not left out. The main emphasis has recently been placed on security, or rather, the financial security of the company itself.

So, Ford applied for a US patent in August 2021, which was published last week, February 23. It is titled “Systems and Methods for Repossessing a Car” and details a proposed system that would allow a manufacturer to gradually limit the functionality of a car when customers are behind on payments. In extreme cases, the car will simply be confiscated or sent to a landfill.

The patent states that the system will implement an incremental series of steps. If the owner starts missing payments for their car, the system will start to disable “the functionality of one or more components.” Over time, this will affect all systems, from window controls to the engine.

Shutdowns for non-payment

The vehicle will alert its owner in stages and perform a “undress” function before driving off. Initially, the system will target secondary features such as “cruise control, automatic window control, automatic seat control and some infotainment system components (radio, global positioning system (GPS), MP3 player, etc.)”, the vehicle will start disabling the A/C, remote key functionality and automatic locking.

If you have reached the stage where the main functions are disabled, then “every time the owner is in the car”, the system may begin to play a “continuous and unpleasant sound.” Of course, there are disputes with this variation now, since a sudden similar sound during the journey can lead to an emergency on the road.

“The confiscation system computer can disable the door lock mechanism,” says the patent, “thus putting the vehicle into a locked state and preventing a person from entering the passenger compartment.” Apparently, it will initially only do this on weekends and will include features to allow it to be used in emergencies.

Consequences

Any Ford vehicle with autonomous driving capabilities will be able to “get from a first location to a second location that is more convenient for a tow truck to be towed to another location.” If the repossession agency says the car is not worth the cost of repossession, then it will go straight to the landfill.

There are a few necessary caveats here. This system can be hellish, but it is also suggested to be used only for people who miss payments. The point is that circumstances change and things like paying for a car may require renegotiation.