Ford Files Patent for Intelligent Car-Sharing With Visual Seat Guidance

Ford has filed a patent for an intelligent car-sharing system featuring in-cabin visual seat guidance, outlining ideas aimed at future ride-pooling and robotaxi use.

Ford has taken another step toward digital mobility services by filing a patent for an intelligent car-sharing system designed to improve passenger experience and support future robotaxi use cases. The patent, registered as US 12,511,586, was filed on February 8, 2023, and published in late December 2025.

At the core of the concept is a set of smart modules integrated directly into the vehicle. These modules are intended to streamline shared-vehicle operation, from handling ride bookings to adapting the cabin for individual passengers. Once a trip is confirmed, the system can assign a specific seating location to a user, link it to predefined accessory preferences, and prepare the vehicle before it reaches the pickup point.

A key feature described in the patent is in-cabin visual guidance associated with a specific seat. The vehicle can visually indicate where a passenger should sit, addressing a common source of delay and confusion in shared rides. This approach is particularly relevant for car sharing, ride-pooling services, and autonomous robotaxis, where fast and unambiguous boarding becomes essential.

The documentation also notes that the visual indicator may be activated before the passenger is picked up, while the vehicle is en route. This detail highlights the system’s focus on scenarios where a human driver may not be present or involved in guiding passengers inside the cabin.

Ford emphasizes that filing patents is a routine practice used to protect ideas and build an intellectual property portfolio. Holding a patent does not guarantee that the technology will enter series production, but it does signal areas the company is actively exploring within mobility services.

Overall, the patent suggests that Ford is paying increasing attention to the digital and experiential side of shared mobility. By focusing on seating guidance, cabin preparation, and automated passenger interaction, such solutions could form part of the foundation for future robotaxi platforms, where convenience and clarity are as important as the vehicle’s ability to drive itself.