Ford might install tech that reports other drivers to law enforcement
Ford filed a patent last month with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for technology that would allow cars to report other vehicles for traffic violations.
How it works
Sensors and cameras installed in the vehicle can detect if a nearby car is speeding, driving recklessly, executing improper lane changes, connected to an expired license or outdated registration, and more. The vehicle’s camera would then snap a photo of the offending vehicle, which could be used to determine an identifying feature such as a license plate, paint job, or scratch marks. The car’s computer would create a file containing the photo and other data, such as the car’s excessive speed, and transmit it either to nearby law enforcement or a roadside monitoring device connected to the Internet of Things network.
Ford says the technology is designed to be used by law enforcement, but the patent’s description of the tech says that its application by police is only an “example” of one potential use. The carmaker also suggests the system can be used by “any various types of vehicles operated by various types of agencies.”
The patent is just one example of the increasingly invasive capabilities of connected cars, which are being programmed to collect vast amounts of data on drivers and passengers.
Ford: A self-repossessing car
In January, Ford dropped an attempt to patent “self-repossessing technology” which would link a car to the driver’s lending institution so that the vehicle would automatically repossess itself if the driver missed car payments. In the patent application, the carmaker listed a host of possible punishments for drivers who miss payments, such as restricting air conditioning or only allowing the driver to commute to certain places like school or work. Other scenarios include drivers being locked out of their cars or the car playing unpleasant sounds until the next payment is made. The car could even drive itself to an impound lot or junkyard.
All the while, Ford’s systems would monitor the driver’s emotions to determine which punishment is most effective.
The auto giant withdrew the patent after facing backlash.
Tesla: A car that monitors a driver’s health
Tesla has secured a patent for technology that can detect the facial features of a car’s occupants using advanced facial recognition. When the camera installed in the car’s interior recognizes the driver’s features, it will greet the driver by name and adjust the settings based on a user profile stored by the vehicle’s system.
In addition to facial features, the car will also detect the “spatial locations” of each occupant so it can properly customize settings, such as adjusting the air conditioning and audio focus for the driver and each passenger. Body movements, body shapes, and user behavior will be tracked and stored “for further analysis,” says the patent.
All biometric data — including images and video of facial features — will be stored in the vehicle’s system, along with other metrics that will be used to determine a driver’s state.
The car will constantly monitor the driver’s baseline behavior, eye and body movements, seating position, tone of voice, and “health parameters.” If there is a deviation in these patterns — such as a change in tone of voice — the vehicle will ask the driver if they need assistance. If the driver does not respond within a certain period, the car will send an emergency signal to a hospital and call for emergency services. In some cases, the car will drive itself to the nearest medical center.
A similar protocol will be activated in the event of a collision.
If the car detects the driver closing their eyes or bobbing their head, it may blast a signal to alert the driver, blow cold air on the driver’s face, and/or stop driving.
Most carmakers sell driver data such as political opinions
According to a September study of 25 carmakers by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, 84% of car brands share or sell data they collect on car owners. Some of the data collected can include, as in Nissan’s case, a driver’s sexual activity, or in Kia’s case, “information about your race or ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation, sex life and political opinions” and “trade union membership.” Six car companies said they collect “genetic information” on drivers.
At least 56% of car brands say in their privacy policies that they may voluntarily share personal driver data with law enforcement upon “request” and without requiring a warrant.
