TIL that Ford filed a patent over technology that could remotely disable a car radio or air conditioner, lock someone out of a vehicle, or cause a car to constantly beep, if a car payment is missed.
TIL that Ford filed a patent over technology that could remotely disable a car radio or air conditioner, lock someone out of a vehicle, or cause a car to constantly beep, if a car payment is missed.
“You’ve now created this device which is like the doomsday device in Dr. Strangelove."
Ford Motor Co. has filed for a patent on technology that could remotely shut down your radio or air conditioning, lock you out of your vehicle, or prompt it to ceaselessly beep if you miss car payments. Ford said it has no plans to use the technology, contained in just one of the many patents filed by the auto-making giant.
Still, it emerges at a troubling time for car owners. Loan delinquencies have been steadily ticking back up from their pandemic lull. Cox Automotive data showed severely delinquent auto loans in January hitting their highest point since 2006. The use of technology to aid repossessions isn’t new, but the patent application is wide-ranging, even proposing the idea that an autonomous vehicle could drive itself to a “more convenient” location to be collected by a tow truck.
Oh you belong in hell if I hear a neighbours car beeping because they missed a payment ….
Excellent reminder to figure out where your new car's cellular antenna is located and wrap it in a Faraday bag
Just a reminder that you don't really own much of anything anymore...
We are the cattle and corporations are our racnhers.