Patent

EV technology makes it easy for cars to produce four-wheel burnouts, and Ford appears to be looking into it.

GM will start introducing lidar to its vehicles in 2023.

A movable bed-mounted crossbar system could be used in Ford trucks to secure cargo or help pull it into the bed.

A Ford patent would start disabling car functions if an owner misses payments and could eventually even drive it away to be repossessed.

With ICE or without, McLaren's new system could vault it into a new era of performance as well as complexity.

A very different kind of EV powertrain could be in the works at the car company.

Ford continues to explore new possibilities for the traditional crash safety airbag.

A Ford patent application describes a midgate that opens like a tailgate instead of folding down.

The system would require the driver to line up the car with the charger and would accommodate both AC and DC charging.

By trademarking the Envision GX name, Buick is indicating a larger version of its mid-size crossover could be on the way.

The roof-mounted airbags are ovoid elements that would encircle occupants and absorb impacts.

Better bed-side manners? Ram could be eyeing a pop-out step for the side of its popular full-size trucks.

Ford has patented a system that uses the brakes to help steer a vehicle.

New technology could make camping more convenient.

Ford's proposed pet restraint system would work much like seat belts with straps and rectractors to keep pets from getting thrown about the cabin.

Self-driving cars are coming, and automakers want to make sure occupants are as comfy as possible.

The technology would use sensors for speed, yaw rate, steering angle, and more to determine if a trailer is in danger of colliding with obstacles and trigger safety systems to respond.

Harnessing the dual-layer packs' built-in ability to operate as two, in series or in parallel, electric trucks could charge on two ports at once, or use one for a load while charging on the other.

Chrysler filed a patent application for its design of the Airflow concept, a possible indicator it could be built as an electric car.

The technology in Ford's latest patent is a bit of a gimmick, but could prove fun.