Ford is filing a patent for technology that listens to drivers' conversations and serves them ads
It turns out that Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for technology that would allow it to listen to conversations between car occupants, analyze keywords and phrases, and deliver advertising while predicting routes and destinations.
US-20240289844-A1_I - DocumentCloud
Ford seeks patent for tech that listens to driver conversations to serve ads
https://therecord.media/ford-patent-application-in-vehicle-listening-advertising
According to the filing, the technology is called 'in-car advertising presentation' and is described as analyzing passenger conversations to customize advertisements.
By listening to the passengers' conversations, the system will be able to determine where the car is going, for example, whether it is going on a long drive or just to a nearby hospital, and will be able to determine the car's location, driving speed, type of road it is traveling on, and whether there is traffic congestion. It will also be able to predict the route, speed, and destination, making it possible to display optimal advertisements to the driver.
'The advertising controller system can determine the timing of audio and visual advertising and present advertising to the driver through the vehicle's human-machine interface while the vehicle is in motion,' the document states.
The report further states, 'This technology provides the opportunity to maximize advertising-based monetization. For example, when a user goes grocery shopping or other purchases, more relevant advertising can be served by predicting the vehicle's destination.'
The Record, which reported on the matter, noted, 'The patent application does not describe how the collected data would be secured. The document says the technology would be primarily software-based and would not require any new hardware.'
In response to the reports, Ford issued a statement saying, 'Filing patent applications is a process and common business practice for protecting new ideas and building a strong portfolio of intellectual property. The ideas described in patent applications do not infer our business or product plans. We always put customers first in our development and marketing decisions for new products and services.' The statement explained that the technology does not necessarily mean it will be realized.
Ford has filed some seemingly strange patent applications. In February 2023, the company filed a patent for technology that would automatically collect cars from owners who had not made payments on their loans, but the application was withdrawn after receiving a flood of criticism.
Ford files patent for car that will run away from owner if loan payments are delayed - GIGAZINE
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