At the age of 39, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, MI, on June 16, 1903. He took the world by storm when he developed an assembly line to speed up the manufacturing process for his vehicles. Soon, the world adopted Fordism practices to build nearly everything. For more than 120 years, Ford has been a family-run business, and it’s safe to say that Henry Ford would be proud to see the innovative practices his descendants continue to employ, carving a niche in the automobile industry. However, in the oversaturated automobile market, Ford now needs to find a way to once again set itself apart. As revealed in a recent patent, this means incorporating technology that utilizes aerial autonomy: drones.

On April 20, 2022, Ford applied for a patent titled “Systems and Methods for Providing a Vehicle-and-Drone-Based Security Service.” The inventors listed on the patent, which was published on October 26, 2023, are a joint team of engineers from the United States and Great Britain, with Stuart Salter noted as the head of the team. As stated in the patent’s abstract, ” The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a vehicle-and-drone-based security service. In an example method, a first area of interest and a second area of interest associated with a structure may be determined.

The first area of interest may then be determined to be monitored at the vehicle. The second area of interest may also be determined to be monitored at a drone associated with the vehicle. A route may be identified for the drone to travel along, where the route is configured for the drone to monitor the second area of interest. The drone may then be launched via the vehicle to travel along the route to monitor the second area of interest.”

This is not the first drone-related patent that Ford has filed; they have others relating to smaller details such as landing, launching, and docking systems for drones on vehicles, how drones can operate around vehicles, and even drones that can be used to jump-start a vehicle. At the same time, Ford is far from the only automobile company filing drone-related patents. However, this patent shows the world that Ford is positioning drones to be used in conjunction with vehicles in a wholly novel way.

For the most part, other vehicle manufacturers experimenting with drones are looking for ways to introduce quirky luxury amenities, such as Bentley and Polestar. Audi has shown interest in presenting drones for their range of off-road sport vehicles as additional light and navigational support while adventuring, but it seems Ford’s concept may be the most realistic application for drone technology yet.

Ford’s drone system will enable a vehicle to become a drone security hub. One or more drones would be housed in a Ford vehicle, capable of autonomously monitoring the vehicle and surrounding area for safety. The drone would first need to scan the property surrounding the vehicle to establish its parameters. Then, with the push of a button, an operator can launch the drone from the vehicle to ensure their entire property is secure. All data collected by the drone is wirelessly transmitted to the operator, who can be safely inside a building. If the drone detects any possible threats, emergency services can be alerted. The drone system can be applied to any future Ford model, though in reality, it may be best suited for vehicles used in security operations.

Ford has yet to announce if and when this drone concept will become an option for consumers. Henry Ford once said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.” For him, that meant following through with building one of the most successful automobile companies ever and inventing the assembly line. Today, this objective still rings true as Ford Motor Company continues to look for ways to secure its future. Could Ford become the first automobile company to bring the collaboration of drones and cars to fruition for the everyday customer? If they do, they will further secure their reputation for being on the cutting edge of automotive innovation. Though Henry may never have personally envisioned the incorporation of drones and automobiles, this new patent certainly evokes the legacy of its founder’s ideals.

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