Toronto, Ontario — In late February, Ford published a patent with the United States Patent Office, attempting to secure a ownership of a design that would remotely repossess vehicles at will.
Officially named “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle,” this filing with the U.S. Patent Office aims to strongly encourage timely payments through a series of gradually escalating penalties.
This process begins with notifications reminding the user to pay up–acknowledgement is required, otherwise a remote computer system will begin escalating the disabling of vehicular functions, going from minor aggravations to complete lockout.
These functions are broken down into three categories, with the first being primary-use components such as brakes, engines and doors.
The patent further elaborates on two levels of optional components, with the first level affecting components which can be disabled to “cause a certain level of discomfort to a driver and occupants of the vehicle,” namely the infotainment system, automated seat and window controls.
The second category which may be disabled to “cause additional levels of discomfort” includes air conditioning, the remote key fob and the automated door locking system.
Other delightful innovations include the proposed ability to activate audio components to “emit incessant and unpleasant sounds every time the owner is present in the vehicle,” geofencing and drive itself to a “spot that is more convenient for a tow truck to tow the vehicle.”
For a scan of Ford’s patent, click here.
What do you think of Ford taking steps to make sure you pay for your vehicle? Let us know in the comments below.
