Ford applies for patent that allows automaker to repossess cars remotely

Ford Motor Co. has applied for a patent on a system designed to try and get people to clear up late car payments that, when all else fails, could lead to cars driving themselves to repo lots, Report informs referring to Detroit Free Press.

The patent application describes new "systems and methods to repossess a vehicle."

They describe in the patent application a range of possibilities that include the car driving itself off private property to be picked up by a tow truck or taking it to a junkyard if the value is too low based on mileage and other factors.

The patent application reviewed by the Free Press outlines a series of strategies to resolve nonpayment, which include sending reminder messages and a warning from banks or other lending institutions to the owner's smartphone or vehicle display screen.

After a period of days or weeks, the process may evolve to include audio that makes an "unpleasant" sound with tone, pitch, cadence, beat or volume to get the owner to contact the lender about arranging payment. Then the car may disable features such as window or seat controls, GPS or radio dials to "cause discomfort," the patent said.