REPO Man
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https://www.theblaze.com/news/ford-patent-lock-out-cars-repossessed
Ford filed for a patent on a new technological system that would allow the automaker to lock out owners from their cars for missed payments. The patent would also allow cars to be repossessed remotely – even enabling self-driving vehicles to drive themselves to a repo lot.
Ford Global Technologies applied for a patent regarding "systems and methods to repossess a vehicle" on Aug. 20, 2021. The application with the United States Patent Office was formally published on Feb. 23, 2023.
The 14-page patent says the system would connect a computer with the bank or lender as well as the computer on the vehicle or the car owner's smartphone.
Ford could disable features such as air conditioning, cruise control, and the radio if auto owners are delinquent with payments. The stereo could be designed to "emit an incessant and unpleasant sound every time the owner is present in the vehicle," according to the patent.
Further missed payments would allow Ford to lock out the owner from their own car.The system would permit Ford to restrict the vehicle to only drive to certain locations such as to buy groceries, drop children off at school, drive to a hospital for a medical emergency, or to commute to work.
"When an acknowledgment is not received within a reasonable period of time, the first computer may disable a functionality of a component of the vehicle or may place the vehicle in a lockout condition," the patent description reads. "The lockout condition may be lifted momentarily in case of an emergency to allow the vehicle to travel to a medical facility."
The system could unlock the car if a payment is made.
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https://www.theblaze.com/news/ford-patent-lock-out-cars-repossessed
Ford filed for a patent on a new technological system that would allow the automaker to lock out owners from their cars for missed payments. The patent would also allow cars to be repossessed remotely – even enabling self-driving vehicles to drive themselves to a repo lot.
Ford Global Technologies applied for a patent regarding "systems and methods to repossess a vehicle" on Aug. 20, 2021. The application with the United States Patent Office was formally published on Feb. 23, 2023.
The 14-page patent says the system would connect a computer with the bank or lender as well as the computer on the vehicle or the car owner's smartphone.
Ford could disable features such as air conditioning, cruise control, and the radio if auto owners are delinquent with payments. The stereo could be designed to "emit an incessant and unpleasant sound every time the owner is present in the vehicle," according to the patent.
Further missed payments would allow Ford to lock out the owner from their own car.The system would permit Ford to restrict the vehicle to only drive to certain locations such as to buy groceries, drop children off at school, drive to a hospital for a medical emergency, or to commute to work.
"When an acknowledgment is not received within a reasonable period of time, the first computer may disable a functionality of a component of the vehicle or may place the vehicle in a lockout condition," the patent description reads. "The lockout condition may be lifted momentarily in case of an emergency to allow the vehicle to travel to a medical facility."
The system could unlock the car if a payment is made.
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