Connected Car
The patent document was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in August 2021. But Ford’s “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle” wasn’t formally published until February 23rd of this year. We know of it because Steph Willems (TTAC legend) shared a report from The Drive referencing the patent filing . Ford’s patent even highlights how connected vehicles would be simultaneously networked to lending institutions, repossession agencies, and the police. However, Ford Motor Co. has patented a system that would effectively make vehicles unresponsive to drivers that have missed a few payments.