Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Vault
Time Travel Schematics
T.E.C. Time Archive
The Why Files
Have You Seen...?
Chronovisor
TimeTravelForum.tk
TimeTravelForum.net
ParanormalNetwork.net
Paranormalis.com
ConspiracyCafe.net
Streams
Live streams
Featured streams
Multi-Viewer
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
Install the app
Install
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
Forums
General Discussion Forum
General Discussion
Breaking World News
Ford seeks patent for cars that ditch you if payments missed
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Num7" data-source="post: 244340" data-attributes="member: 1"><p>A patent application from automaker Ford was published last week for embedded vehicle systems that facilitate an automobile's repossession, including autonomously moving it to a repossession agency.</p><p></p><p>The patent [PDF], which was filed in August, covers more ways to combat non-payment. The least intrusive is a helpful message delivered to the vehicle or a smartphone notifying the user of the delinquency.</p><p></p><p>If notices go unacknowledged, the system can disable select functionalities of the vehicle or even lock the vehicle out entirely – save for a medical emergency where it could potentially travel to a hospital or ambulance meeting spot autonomously.</p><p></p><p>For autonomous cars and trucks, why stop at rendezvousing with emergency vehicles? The patent also outlines the system's capability to move that vehicle to a parking spot more convenient for towing, as well as just relocating it off private property or other inaccessible areas. As mentioned, it could also move itself to a repossession agency or junkyard.</p><p></p><p>The patent also outlines a potential to lock the vehicle out on weekends only so that the driver can still access a job and might be able to come through on those delinquent payments. Geofencing the automobile's range is another option.</p><p></p><p>In a more passive aggressive case, audio within the vehicle, such as a beeping horn, chime or radio, could be activated remotely to annoy the operator.</p><p></p><p>The options are endless, and the patent application explores many. The authors argue that once warnings have been issued with no response, owners typically become uncooperative and may impede repossession, in some cases to the point of confrontation.</p><p></p><p>"It is therefore desirable to provide a solution to address this issue," wrote the four Ford engineers.</p><p></p><p>There's no telling if Ford intends to incorporate the software-only tech in any of its vehicles any time soon, either factory installed or as an over-the-air update. The Register has asked and will report back if any substantial information arises.</p><p></p><p>Car repossessions are on the rise in the United States as higher interest rates affect monthly payments.</p><p></p><p>"Over the last two years, vehicle prices were inflated because there was no new car supply, people were still buying like crazy because they had a lot of stay-at-home cash, they had inflated credit scores, so it was like a recipe for disaster," president of International Recovery Systems Jeremy Cross told NBC News in mid-December.</p><p></p><p>Those who bought at inflated prices with inflated credit scores are now getting hit by that inflation, thus creating a system ripe for delinquencies.</p><p></p><p>A spokesperson at Ford told us: "We submit patents on new inventions as a normal course of business but they aren't necessarily an indication of new business or product plans."</p><p></p><p>Source: </p><p>[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/28/ford_self_repossessing_patent/[/URL]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Num7, post: 244340, member: 1"] A patent application from automaker Ford was published last week for embedded vehicle systems that facilitate an automobile's repossession, including autonomously moving it to a repossession agency. The patent [PDF], which was filed in August, covers more ways to combat non-payment. The least intrusive is a helpful message delivered to the vehicle or a smartphone notifying the user of the delinquency. If notices go unacknowledged, the system can disable select functionalities of the vehicle or even lock the vehicle out entirely – save for a medical emergency where it could potentially travel to a hospital or ambulance meeting spot autonomously. For autonomous cars and trucks, why stop at rendezvousing with emergency vehicles? The patent also outlines the system's capability to move that vehicle to a parking spot more convenient for towing, as well as just relocating it off private property or other inaccessible areas. As mentioned, it could also move itself to a repossession agency or junkyard. The patent also outlines a potential to lock the vehicle out on weekends only so that the driver can still access a job and might be able to come through on those delinquent payments. Geofencing the automobile's range is another option. In a more passive aggressive case, audio within the vehicle, such as a beeping horn, chime or radio, could be activated remotely to annoy the operator. The options are endless, and the patent application explores many. The authors argue that once warnings have been issued with no response, owners typically become uncooperative and may impede repossession, in some cases to the point of confrontation. "It is therefore desirable to provide a solution to address this issue," wrote the four Ford engineers. There's no telling if Ford intends to incorporate the software-only tech in any of its vehicles any time soon, either factory installed or as an over-the-air update. The Register has asked and will report back if any substantial information arises. Car repossessions are on the rise in the United States as higher interest rates affect monthly payments. "Over the last two years, vehicle prices were inflated because there was no new car supply, people were still buying like crazy because they had a lot of stay-at-home cash, they had inflated credit scores, so it was like a recipe for disaster," president of International Recovery Systems Jeremy Cross told NBC News in mid-December. Those who bought at inflated prices with inflated credit scores are now getting hit by that inflation, thus creating a system ripe for delinquencies. A spokesperson at Ford told us: "We submit patents on new inventions as a normal course of business but they aren't necessarily an indication of new business or product plans." Source: [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/28/ford_self_repossessing_patent/[/URL] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
General Discussion Forum
General Discussion
Breaking World News
Ford seeks patent for cars that ditch you if payments missed
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top