Ford Motor Company has filed a new patent that reports speeding cars from a patrol car.
The July 18, 2024 patent, “Systems and Methods for Detecting Speeding Violations” uses radar and sensors to report speeding cars via a built-in system.
Ford patent catches speeding cars
Ford’s Public Relations department clarified to theDrive.com explaining the intent behind this system.
UPDATE 7/31/2024 @ 3:30p ET: After publication, Ford reached out with a statement to clarify that the idea “is specific for application in law enforcement vehicles, such as the Ford Police Interceptor, and it’s a system that would automate a capability that law enforcement already have in use today, except this would utilize the built-in system and sensors in the vehicle. This patent does not state that driving data from customers’ vehicles would be shared with law enforcement, which is what some media have incorrectly reported. And note, patent applications are intended to protect new ideas but aren’t necessarily an indication of new business or product plans.”
This new technology could take the speed radar gun out of the officer’s hands and make their jobs easier by detecting speeding cars automatically.
How does it work?
The patent, first reported on by Motor Authority, shows a flowchart laying out the logic governing the system.
Basically, a police vehicle would constantly be gathering speed data of surrounding or passing traffic using radar or lidar.
If a vehicle exceeded a “threshold speed limit,” it would then switch the camera on and begin recording.
This camera would also “determine one or more identifying features of the second vehicle.” This help law enforcement to generate a report on the vehicle.
There are multiple ways for the recording system to behave like using a 360-degree camera or letting law enforcement control the camera.
Once this is done, it is unclear what the next steps would be since the patent and Ford’s clarification doesn’t explicitly state.
Is this legal?
This has naturally caused concerns amongst many in the public and it is easy to see why.
Speed traps, red light cameras and other means of remotely monitoring the driving public have caused a variety of lawsuits.
They have also spurred on concerns over the growing nanny state in which many people feel they are living in.
Conclusion
What do you think? Is this a good idea to better use police officers’ time and make them safer on the road without the distraction of using a speed radar gun? Or is this yet another unwelcome conclusion into our daily lives?
