Ford Applies To Patent Stand-Up Driving System
Sit down, buckle up, and be quiet. I heard those words many times from my parents and have likely said them countless times to my own kids, but a recent patent from Ford may change how people ride in their vehicles – at least off-road.
Ford’s patent application, discovered by CarBuzz, is for an off-road driving system that allows the driver to stand while navigating tough terrain. The diagram accompanying the application shows a person standing in their Bronco, and Ford said the feature is meant for situations in which the driver is required to stand or lean out of the vehicle to keep it (and them) safe.
Some driver assistance systems and other functions don’t work when the driver isn’t in the seat, so this system would widen the “driving zone” to include different positions and prevent the safety systems from shutting down.
While this sounds like an invitation for some people to act foolishly, Ford said the system is only for use within defined boundaries. Acceleration and vehicle speed are limited, so it’s unlikely we’ll see people hanging out of a high-speed drifting Bronco anytime soon. The system would also incorporate sensors and data from the SUV’s drive modes to control vehicle speed, and Ford has a few ideas on how to install controls for remote vehicle operation.
[Image: USPTO]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Typical Ford. Another day, another class action lawsuit for poor quality and poor engineering yet they are designing this crap. Awful company
"Remote Vehicle Operations"
So they can forcibly shut down or control your vehicle whenever they want, got it
"Have you commanded a Ford .... lately?"
I was doing this in a war surplus Jeep back in 1965. Low range everything, get forward motion and voila, you are able to move limbs and other detritus while getting back home. That they believe it to be a beneficial feature?