New Ford Vehicle Security Patents Cover Biometrics, Risk Signals

Ford is developing advanced biometric authorization systems for its vehicles as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and user authentication, building on the company’s recent initiatives in cybersecurity and connected vehicle technology. The automotive manufacturer has filed multiple patents related to these systems, which use various biometric data including fingerprint recognition, facial scans, and voice control – technologies that have shown increasing adoption in the automotive sector over the past two years.

A patent filed in March 2023 (Patent Number 12142022) details a system that generates confidence scores for biometric challenge data to authenticate vehicle users. The patent, filed jointly by Ford Global Technologies and The Australian National University, was published in October 2024. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of Ford’s research partnerships in the biometric security space.

Another significant patent (Number 12106609), published in October 2024, describes a system that monitors vehicle state data and connection status. The system is designed to trigger alarm protocols when detecting unauthorized connection loss that doesn’t match predefined legitimate scenarios, similar to approaches used in modern financial security systems.

Ford is implementing two-factor authentication in its key reprogramming tools as an additional security measure, following industry best practices established in mobile and online banking security. The company’s upcoming 2025 F-Series trucks will feature the “Ford Security Package,” which includes theft alerts and remote vehicle disabling capabilities through the FordPass app, even in scenarios where an authorized key is present nearby. This represents a significant advancement over traditional key-based security systems.

These developments in biometric authorization represent part of Ford’s broader strategy to enhance vehicle security through advanced authentication methods and robust security protocols, responding to the increasing sophistication of vehicle theft techniques and the growing integration of digital technologies in modern vehicles.

Source: Justia Patents

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November 15, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith