Ford Motor Company continues to explore the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into its vehicles, as demonstrated by recent patent filings and ongoing collaboration efforts. A new development, Ford Authority on August 9, 2024, is a patent for a robust UAV landing platform that could be used in future Ford pickup trucks. This patent, filed on February 8, 2023, and published on August 8, 2024 under serial number 0262546, is part of Ford’s ongoing work on drone-to-vehicle technology.
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Ford’s involvement in UAV technology dates back to the DJI Developer Challenge, announced at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The challenge was to develop software for real-time communication between Ford vehicles and drones with the goal of creating a deployable surveying system for emergency services. (Image source: Ford)

This patent is one of several patents Ford has filed related to UAVs in recent years, demonstrating the company’s interest in UAV technology in automotive applications. Previous patents have included a sunroof docking system, a vehicle-mounted drone pod, and a collaborative system that enables interaction between a UAV and a car. These filings suggest that Ford is exploring various potential uses for UAVs in vehicles, including cargo management and aerial photography, as well as military reconnaissance.

One of the earlier patents, filed on October 28, 2019 and published on January 10, 2023, describes a Sunroof docking system for UAVs. This system stores and deploys drones in a recessed compartment in the vehicle’s sunroof. The system includes mechanisms to charge and cool the UAV so it remains ready for use when needed. This concept is an example of Ford’s work on integrating UAV storage directly into vehicles.

Another patent, filed on February 14, 2018 and published on May 23, 2023, describes a UAV landing platform designed for vehicles. This platform features a multi-pin turntable to secure the UAV during landing, which can be important for safe drone operations, especially when the vehicle is moving or the UAV is exposed to turbulence.

Heliguy and Venari’s Drone Support Vehicle, based on a Ford Ranger pickup, features a “Ready-to-Fly Drone Mechanism” that allows various drone models, such as the DJI M30 series or M300 RTK, to be safely transported while they are fully assembled and prepared for rapid deployment. (Image source: OHVC)

The newly published patent for a rugged UAV landing platform addresses the challenges of rough landings and difficult environmental conditions. The design includes “protrusions” on a base plate to cushion the UAV during hard landings, reducing the risk of damage. This design is particularly relevant for off-road situations where UAVs may need to land on uneven or unstable surfaces. The platform could be mounted on the roof or in the bed of a pickup truck, providing flexibility in vehicle-based UAV operations.

Ford’s involvement in UAV technology dates back to the DJI Developer Challengeannounced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2016. This competition focused on developing software for real-time communication between Ford vehicles and drones with the goal of creating a deployable surveying system for emergency services. Ford worked with DJI, a drone manufacturer, to develop a system that would allow first responders to deploy drones into disaster zones from the cab of an F-150 truck. The system was designed to map and survey areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, leveraging Ford’s SYNC® AppLink and OpenXC platforms. Potential applications included emergency response, defense, agriculture, forestry and construction.

Ford’s efforts to integrate drones into its vehicles are part of its broader Ford Smart Mobility strategy, which focuses on advancing the company’s capabilities in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles and data analytics. Integrating drones into Ford vehicles is consistent with this strategy and reflects the company’s approach to addressing the growing role of drones in both the commercial and defense sectors.

Based on a Ford Transit Trail, the UK Drone Command Unit is equipped with integrated real-time surveillance, satellite connectivity and drone-in-a-box technology and is designed for mission-critical UAS operations. (Image source: OHVC)