Ford wants to build cars that repossess themselves, although the technology can’t be used on current models like the Ford PumaFord has been granted a patent for a system that allows a car to repossess itself if its owner fails to keep up with payments. The firm envisions the car driving itself back to the showroom – or to a scrapyard if the value of the car is low. But a security expert warns that the proposed system could instead be used to steal cars remotely.
The system could begin by disabling features such as GPS navigation, the music system or the air conditioning, in order to create what the patent describes as a “certain level of discomfort” for the owner. If this doesn’t work, the patents suggests enabling the car to create an “incessant and unpleasant sound”, such as a chime or beep, every time the owner gets inside.
Such a system would, of course, require the car to be fully autonomous, which has been a persistent but elusive goal for car makers: it is
Worst car in the market
What a stupid idea Your Honor: I was behind on my car payments because the annoying sounds my car was playing made me sick and I couldn’t go to work and lost my job as a result
It won't take long before those distracting sounds will be used as arguments in court for as being the cause of accidents. Cars driving away by themselves sounds nice though.
I'll never buy another Ford
And soon Ford won't even start if you wipe it with incorrect car washing clothes.
If that ever occurs; used older cars will make a huge comeback and Ford's stock would nosedive. No way would I own a vehicle that I cannot control.
Perfect rental car.
Like a roomba returning to base.
I would prefer to have less annoying artificial sounds in my Focus ST.
No way! Someone got crazy🤣
A lot is self driving cars crash, so Ford is going to open themselves up to this liability for some missed car payments?
Just what I need more annoying sounds in my life.
Sounds exactly like my ex-wife.
How is this not a TheOnion headline?
Could this be used by car thieves instead?
😆 Ford a Nazi Investor Company.
I'd like to know under who's insurance liability that involuntary self-driving would happen. It's easy for me to imagine car insurance that doesn't allow this sort of thing.
You will own nothing, and live in fear
RIght, who made Shitty_Future guest editor this week?
The new Ford Canta.
This is a stupid....very stupid...idea 🙄
Hey TheOnion you missed reporting this.
How will the cars unlock the garage? Or a clamp?
AB_Sadeeq_
Capitalism crashing
The maintenance of the Ford workshops in Brazil is pitfull! Very bad experience! And there is no one to complain! After twenty years of Ford, I switched brands! I switched to Japanese brands!
Easy, don’t buy a car from Ford.
Annoying sounds to distract the driver? Sounds safe!
'my car started driving away, so I set it on fire before it drove back into the showroom' Extremely good and smart to have self driven ieds return to the source.
I can’t wait to see how people hack this feature. This also steers me away from Ford even more.
So instead of helping struggling people… this!
😆 lol
Can they first check that you haven't left the baby or the dog in the car before they drive them back. I can see HUGE pay-outs for customers suing Ford for doing that!
How about tightening up Ford Credit lending terms & stop lending to dead beats?
Spalders Cadwell park me thinks 🤓
Can it drive itself to the mechanic?
This would be good for car rentals. pay for a month, car drives to you. When a month is over, it drives back.
one small step for men...
Because it will be the only car you will be allowed to purchase. Next 15 minutes cites. Oh yes they are already happening
😂Tss
More important to get them to lock the doors and drive car thieves to the local nick..🚔
Who on earth would buy a car that can be remotely controlled from elsewhere? Not me.
That would be so wild bro 🤣🤯
Um…
That’s great for ford what about working people that can barely afford a car cause they have same pay for yrs and yrs w No increase of the wage. You make a computer program to get the cars away back to you. What you going to do. People will not be able to come to your place. (
🇺🇸
a better option is for all of us to use Uber type e-taxis, where the costs of insurance, fuel, tax, or purchasing the vehical are all taken into account...no longer owning a car, but hiring one instead.
Ford Who would buy this self-repossessing car?!
Neither Ford or any other car manufacturer anticipate 'selling' future electric cars. They'll be like 'on demand taxis' that we use on a 'request' basis. Then the vehicle leaves for the next 'request stop'. That's what they mean when they say 'self driving technology'. A Taxi....
Very cool !
Omg 😂
Seeing as Ford cancelled the Fiesta, I have invented a new device called 'not buying a Ford'.
They could name it …. “The ford cancel.”
😂😂😂… not surprising, technology. But, buying a Ford, a car with 5 year durability, presenting engine failures during the 5 years, worthless after 5 years…
Lmao
Initially, I was certain this was The Onion. What the hell, Ford?!?
*removes tires and speakers* 'Now see you drive away now you hunk of metallic crap'
From now on, be nice to your car.
Excellent I dea
Lol. That would be funny.
How about we look into electronically dealing with speeding and drink-driving first eh Ford ? 🤷♂️
Yeah this sounds safe
I don't see this going wrong at all.
Lol, that’s exactly what you need in a market like South Africa, with dodgy clients
'capitalism breeds innovation'
I mean, I’d never buy a Ford anyway, but wow
neverbuyFordagain
Automation as the extraction, accumulation and concentration of discretion. All the edge cases default to Ford's favour, and create new risks for o̶w̶n̶e̶r̶s̶ users.
🤣🤣🤣
Does it drive itself to the garage for a service/MOT?
this just can't be true....it's not 'The Onion', not 4/1, I am awake..... WTF! Ford?
Genius. Pure Genius. Genius
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