Ford has filed a patent for an automated brake light detection system, which it claims could enhance driver-assist systems and potentially benefit future autonomous vehicles. The patent, published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on September 14, 2023, and filed in May of the same year, outlines a technology designed to improve the vehicle’s ability to detect when a car’s brake lights are illuminated.
According to the patent application, the system would use lidar and cameras to scan the road ahead, with software processing the data to determine whether a vehicle’s brake lights are on. The application also includes provisions for different operational modes—day and night—each with distinct software strategies to effectively identify illuminated brake lights under various conditions.
“Such a system could help autonomous cars more accurately determine when it’s safe to move,” Ford explained in the filing. The company further noted that the system could prevent unnecessary acceleration if a traffic light turns green but the vehicles ahead have not yet started moving. The technology could also assist when traffic lights are malfunctioning or when human-driven cars with driver-assistance systems need help in detecting brake lights, particularly in cases where the driver may be distracted.
While Ford’s filing presents an innovative approach, it is important to note that patent applications do not always result in actual product implementation. Ford has a history of filing patents, with other recent applications including designs for an extendable cargo bed for pickup trucks and a roof-mounted EV backup battery. Additionally, the automaker has been advancing its autonomous driving efforts, launching its Latitude AI division to further develop automated driving systems, which may benefit from the patented brake light detection technology.
The potential integration of this technology into Ford’s existing and future models, such as the company’s BlueCruise highway driving assist, remains speculative, with the company continuing to refine its autonomous driving capabilities.
