Patent

Ford's new seat patent includes fold-out seat bottoms in the backs of the front seats so passengers could also sit facing backward.

Hidden rear bumper storage could be used for secure package delivery to a vehicle.

Foldable bed ramps would fit in GM pickup bed walls and still allow for a shallow loading angle.

A Ford patent for a steering wheel that could move side-to-side or to a perpendicular position could help people get into big trucks or SUVs.

The proposed fins would telescope out from the rear wall of the cab like flying buttresses and be used on an electric truck.

Air bladders under a tonneau cover could inflate to take up space in a bed and therefore secure cargo in place.

Active front and rear spoilers could adjust their angle to create more downforce, potentially on the Corvette ZR1 and/or Zora.

Rivian's proposed bed rack system is stowable and could also be used for roof racks.

Recent Rivian lighting patents include lights in cross bars that could be used as brake lights and blinkers, and roof lights that would project forward to light up the bottom of an incline.

Artificial intelligence is opening up new opportunities for vehicle user interfaces.

A Rivian spare wheel container could be used to hold an air compressor, water, tools, first aid, kits, or even trash.

Ford is experimenting with better ways to utilize the storage space of the front trunks of electric vehicles.

A new Ford patent application describes using a car's brakes to lock the rear wheels to induce a drift.

A Ford patent shows how a pickup truck's tonneau cover could be used for active aerodynamics.

A rear-seat airbag system could keep suspects safer in the rear seat in case of a crash.

Ferrari's pair of joysticks would allow drivers to control turning angle and yaw.

GM's hybrid metal-composite wheels would use metal barrels and fiber-reinforced polymer composites for the wheel face and spokes.

Ford has a new screen design that if implemented would make a vehicle's interior start to resemble a workstation.

Child car seats could power into place or out of the way, if Ford runs with a new patent it's filed.

Patents show Stellantis is looking at ways to increase the fun of driving EVs.