- Ford is working on a way to allow your car to snitch on you for speeding
- READ MORE: Electric vehicle owners say their cars are making them sick
From the Ford Mustang to the Ford Focus, Ford has some of the most popular cars in the world.
But Ford drivers be warned – your car could soon turn against you.
That’s according to a newly discovered patent, which suggests Ford is working on a way to allow your car to snitch on you for speeding.
‘Traffic police typically face various types of challenges when dealing with speeding violations. Among these challenges is a need to quickly and accurately identify a speeding vehicle and take responsive action,’ the patent description reads.
‘It is desirable to provide systems and methods that assist traffic police and/or other law enforcement officers perform such tasks.’
Ford drivers be warned – your car could soon turn against you. That’s according to a newly discovered patent, which suggests Ford is working on a way to allow your car to snitch on you for speeding
The patent was first spotted by Motor Authority, shortly after it was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office USPTO) on July 18.
It details a system in which cars could be fitted with camera systems that allow them to monitor each other’s speeds on the road.
So, if your car spotted a nearby car breaking the speed limit, it could photograph that vehicle and send the snap directly to the police.
‘The image may be evaluated for determining at least one identifying feature of the second vehicle,’ Ford explains in the patent.
‘A record may then be generated.
The patent was first spotted by Motor Authority , shortly after it was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office USPTO) on July 18. It details a system in which cars could be fitted with camera systems that allow them to monitor each other’s speeds on the road
If your car spotted a nearby car breaking the speed limit, it could photograph that vehicle and send the snap directly to the police
‘The record can include the speed measurement, the image, and the first identifying feature.
‘In some cases, the record may be transmitted to another law-enforcement vehicle for pursuing the second vehicle and/or an Internet-of-Things (IoT) road-side unit for tracking the second vehicle.’
Unfortunately, further details on how the system might work, as well as where and when it could be implemented, remain unclear.
However, the news has already drummed up a stir on social media.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: ‘Giving yet another reason to never purchase a Ford vehicle ever again?’
Another added: ‘Has Ford lost its mind?!?!?!’
And one joked: ‘They should name it…. KAREN.’
A Ford spokesperson told Motor Authority: ‘The patent explicitly states this idea is specific for application in law enforcement vehicles, such as the Ford Police Interceptor, and it’s a system that would automate a capability that law enforcement already have in use today, except this would utilize the built-in system and sensors in the vehicle.
‘This patent does not state that driving data from customers’ vehicles would be shared with law enforcement, which is what some media have incorrectly reported.
‘And note, patent applications are intended to protect new ideas but aren’t necessarily an indication of new business or product plans.’