Ford patents in-car cinema drawings

[Express]

Ford patents in-car cinema drawings


Revolutionary movie theatre set for the blue oval's future autonomous cars.


Sam Charlwood
10 March, 2016



Ford has filed an in-car cinema patent with the US Patent Office. Photo: Supplied.


Sit back and relax, and buckle up: Ford has patented new technology which could bring cinema to the self-driving car.

The new tech, filed to the US Patent Office and leaked to the public this week, features a roll-down screen that deploys from the top of the windscreen, displaying images and video projected from a ceiling-mounted projector. The screen sits immediately in front of the main dashboard, allowing occupants to sprawl back in their set-back seats and enjoy the viewing. It's almost like in-flight entertainment mid-drive.

It means that Fords of the future will be compatible with television, video streaming and even gaming when the vehicle is in full autonomous mode.

Speaking to US magazine Car and Driver, the car maker said the patents wouldn't necessarily equate to a production application any time soon.

"As a technology leader, we submit patents on innovative ideas as a normal course of business," Ford said.

"Patent applications are intended to protect new ideas but aren't necessarily an indication of new business or product plans."

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