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Ford files patent for automatic repossession of cars

Ford is currently working on a special form of autonomous driving. The vehicles of the U.S. carmaker are not intended to transport passengers from A to B. Instead, the aim is to be able to seize cars automatically. Rather, the aim is to be able to seize cars automatically. If, for example, a lessee does not pay his installments, the car leaves him all by itself and returns to the lender.

Ford has already submitted idea to patent office

In the field of autonomous driving, many automakers are currently aiming to make their vehicles drive as comfortably as possible through city streets and across highways without driver intervention. This is intended first and foremost to ensure user comfort and to stop commuters’ car journeys becoming a waste of time that eats up their lives. Ford also wants to let its cars drive themselves. However, the company apparently has the interests of financiers and credit institutions in mind. After all, the automotive group has now filed a patent application that would provide for automatic seizure of vehicles. Should a customer no longer be able or willing to pay his or her installments, the car is then supposed to automatically return to the seller’s hands.

But autonomous driving is to be just one option, which is to be able to be executed remotely by the responsible credit institution or seller. Alternatively, it should also be possible to switch off individual features in the car. Then, in the worst case, it could no longer be moved by the owner. While autonomous driving to a distant junkyard still sounds like a dream of the future, switching off important functions is certainly already possible. Towing could also be made easier with rudimentary knowledge of the vehicle’s secrets. In many cases, for example, it would already be helpful to move the car from the owner’s lot to the nearest street.

Automatic drive to the junkyard

Ford then takes the whole thing to the extreme with an extremely exciting scenario that probably also emerges from the patent application. Imagine that the vehicle automatically drives to the nearest manufacturer’s premises. There, a value check could be carried out. If the vehicle was a total loss, the computer would then send it on to the scrap yard. Of course, as a debtor, one could do something against the automatic driving away of the car. For example, one could lock the vehicle in a garage. Ford is said to have the right solution for this scenario as well. Based on the camera recordings made by the car, it should be possible to notify the police directly. The police should then be able to gain access to the vehicle in the traditional way.

Not possible in Germany

Other countries, other customs. This is undoubtedly true for the legal system of the United States. What sounds somewhat crude for our legal understanding, is at least in theory in the United States no problem. Whereas in this country you have to obtain a title through civil law in order to be able to seize things, in the USA seizures are possible even without the involvement of the judiciary. Thus, lenders are also allowed to garnish. This is already the case. If borrowers are unable to pay their installments for a car, the lender is allowed to seize it. What may not be legally problematic, in practice apparently represents a major effort for many lenders. That’s why Ford seems to smell a good deal here with its completely automated garnishment. But Ford’s idea is roughly reminiscent of leasing contracts that Renault had its contract holders sign over a long period of time.

The contracts in question were leasing and financing agreements for the small electric runabout Renault Zoe. The general terms and conditions of the contracts included a clause stipulating that the battery would be blocked in the event of an extraordinary end of contract. Then, among other things, charging of the battery would no longer have been possible. This case was immediately referred to the Federal Court of Justice. Since the clause violates the consumer protection, which is important in Germany, it was immediately declared invalid. For this reason, we cannot expect Ford’s patent to be implemented any time soon. However, the question of when and whether automatic seizure will also be used in the United States cannot be answered at this point in time. Just because it is legally possible does not mean that it will be implemented. After all, patent applications are a common means for companies in the land of unlimited opportunity to send out a sign of life.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

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Ford is currently working on a special form of autonomous driving. The vehicles of the U.S. carmaker are not intended to transport passengers from A to B. Instead, the aim is to be able to seize cars automatically. Rather, the aim is to be able to seize cars automatically. If, for example, a lessee does … (Weiterlesen...)

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