A major OEM is securing a patent for a system that would allow parked vehicles to avoid collisions without human input.
A patent assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC outlines a system that could move a stationary vehicle when another object is likely to hit it.
The patent, System for Detecting Moving Objects, was granted May 5, 2026. The application was filed Dec. 4, 2023.
The filing describes a stationary vehicle using onboard sensors to track a moving object nearby. The system would assess the object’s position and path, then assign a threat level.
The patent lists four states: idle, aware, warning and evade.
In the aware state, the system has identified a low chance of impact. Additional sensors, including ultrasonic sensors, cameras and radar sensors, can be activated. More information can be gathered as the object moves.
In the warning state, the chance of impact is higher. The patent gives 10% to 90% as an example range. At that stage, the vehicle’s propulsion, steering and braking systems can be readied while a possible evasive route is calculated.
In the evade state, the patent describes a high chance of impact. It gives more than 90% as an example. Vehicle lights can be flashed, the horn can be sounded and propulsion, steering and braking can be controlled.
The patent states that the vehicle could move by an evasive distance when there is enough room to reduce the chance of impact without creating a greater risk of hitting another nearby object.
The stationary vehicle can be parked, switched off or unoccupied.
If impact cannot be avoided, the system can record video, audio and other data about the impact location and severity and send that information to a server for users.
The patent is not a production announcement and does not state that the system will be added to any vehicle.
