Darth Powell@VladTheInflator
Right on queue
Your truck will no longer be your truck.
Ford has filed multiple patents related to driver monitoring systems (DMS), which typically use cameras, sensors, and AI to track driver attention, drowsiness/fatigue, distraction, facial expressions, biometrics, and related in-cabin behaviors for safety, personalization, and vehicle control.
These build on systems like Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving, which already incorporates driver monitoring. Here are some notable examples (patent details based on public filings and reports):
Distracted Driving DetectionPatent filed December 3, 2020 (published ~June 2022). This system uses a driver monitoring camera to detect distraction (e.g., eyes off the road) and can also identify smartphone light on the driver's face. It may alert the driver or intervene by taking partial control of the vehicle.
Driver Fatigue PreventionPatent filed July 1, 2022 (published January 5, 2023). It proposes using light therapy (via special glasses or cabin lighting) triggered by detected fatigue. The system monitors driver position and activates countermeasures, especially for early-morning or night shifts.
Lip Reading, Facial Expressions, and Emotion Sensing (In-Cabin Monitoring)Patent application US20260095520 (filed ~2024, published ~April 2026). This uses interior cameras and sensors with machine learning to read lips (for voice commands in noisy environments, like convertibles with the top down), track facial expressions, and analyze emotions or alertness. It supports better voice control and driver fitness checks.
In-Cabin Biometric SystemPatent filed February 9, 2024 (published August 2025).
Integrates facial, fingerprint, and iris/eye recognition for driver identification, alertness/fatigue monitoring, stress detection, and personalized cabin settings. It ties into broader DMS for security and health/wellness