Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a facial recognition entry system, potentially for use in future vehicles.
The patent was filed by Ford on November 21, 2022, and published on May 23, 2024. It outlines a camera-based biometric security system designed to unlock vehicles using facial recognition technology.
The system would employ a camera to scan the driver’s face and verify their identity before granting access to the car. In cases where the facial recognition system fails—whether due to poor lighting, changes in the user’s appearance, or technical issues—the patent includes a backup authentication method. The alternative method involves entering a secret code, ensuring that users can still access their vehicle even if the primary biometric system does not function correctly.
The R&D innovation is part of Ford’s broader exploration of advanced vehicle access technologies. In 2015, Ford announced the use of advanced passenger-observing systems, including eye-tracking and other biometric technologies, to aid in the design of its vehicle interiors, with that year’s Ford GT being among the first to employ such methods.
Outside of Ford specifically, in 2022 LG Electronics filed a patent for the development of a new biometric ignition system that would allow drivers to start their vehicles using touchless facial expressions or hand gestures. That system relied on facial recognition to adjust settings for authorized drivers and gesture recognition for controlling in-car functions without distraction.
Source: Ford Authority
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May 28, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis
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