The US Patent Office last week published an application for a patent by Ford innocuously titled “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle”, which comes straight out of a dystopian sci-fi movie.
The application entails systems in terms of which vehicles, for all practical purposes, would be able to repossess themselves should their owners renege on payments.
According to the document, vehicles’ built-in data connections could be used to disable “a functionality of one or more components of the vehicle” in case of missed payments. This could take different forms from deactivating features like “cruise control, automated window controls, automated seat controls and some components of the infotainment system (radio Global Positioning System (GPS), MP3 player, etc)” to functions such as “the air-conditioning system, a remote key fob and an automated door lock/unlock system” and other incessant irritating warnings.
The most disconcerting feature of the system though, in the case of self-autonomous vehicles, is that with Ford's system, your car could drive itself away to a different location without even informing you.
It is unclear whether Ford is planning to follow through on the patents since it is currently not actively pursuing self-drive technology.
Other auto manufacturers already feature similar technology in their vehicles.
In a demonstration of a purpose-driven partnership, GAC Motor South Africa has joined forces with the Real Madrid Foundation South Africa as its official mobility partner – a collaboration dedicated to creating real opportunities for young people through the transformative power of football and education.
Maserati addressed recent developments in the South African market regarding unauthorised parties claiming to be official Maserati dealers and service centres. These claims are both false and misleading to customers, and we consider this to be a matter of serious concern.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz
In a demonstration of a purpose-driven partnership, GAC Motor South Africa has joined forces with the Real Madrid Foundation South Africa as its official mobility partner – a collaboration dedicated to creating real opportunities for young people through the transformative power of football and education.
Maserati addressed recent developments in the South African market regarding unauthorised parties claiming to be official Maserati dealers and service centres. These claims are both false and misleading to customers, and we consider this to be a matter of serious concern.
Following the recent international awareness month of driving while distracted (DWD), positive news from the City of Cape Town has been shared. The City revealed that between July 2022 and June 2024, impoundments of cellphones reduced by 16%. Cellphone-related offences also dropped by 11.5%.
