Ford may be using the system exclusively for its police fleet, but the patent application fails to clarify
- Ford wants to patent a system that automatically reports speeding vehicles to police.
- Police will then decide whether to start a pursuit of the suspect vehicle.
- For now, that’s all the app is.
Security, closed-circuit and surveillance cameras are everywhere these days, sometimes capturing crimes in real time. If one of Ford’s latest patents is approved, cameras on future vehicles could become an important tool for authorities to combat speeding. Of course, the idea raises countless questions about effectiveness, ethics, privacy, and more.
The patent application, published by the Patent and Trademark Office on July 18, has a straightforward title. It’s called “System and method for detecting speeding violations,” and details how Ford envisions it working. The system would use onboard sensors on future Ford vehicles to detect other speeding vehicles.
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If a speeding vehicle is detected, the system will turn on the camera to take a picture. It will then send the image, GPS location data, etc. to the authorities, who will then decide whether to initiate a pursuit or pursue the suspect in any way. It is worth mentioning that this is just a patent application, and even if it is approved, Ford may choose not to do anything.
Additionally, this could be a patent Ford intends to use exclusively for its own fleet of police vehicles. Today, several companies already offer video surveillance with AI-powered recognition systems that come with police cars or are installed in delivery vehicles.
Regardless, the whole system raises questions about the security, legality, and ethics of this technology. Today, many questionable technologies already exist that are stealing your data, my data, and sometimes even our personal data.
Car buyers have discovered unauthorized GPS trackers in their vehicles. Hackers have gained access to sensitive data about car owners. Insurance companies have raised premiums because drivers are being captured without their knowledge. Speed cameras, HOV cameras, and red light cameras have also begun issuing tickets. Over time, it seems that every moment a person leaves their residence is being recorded.
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