The system also offers various views of the rear of the vehicle, with a detached view allowing you to see the entire trailer. Once the system detects that you’re within a certain distance of the trailer, the view changes to one that includes the trailer hitch receiver and the trailer itself. With superimposed graphics on the display, as well as distance sensors, the system can visually and audibly warn against a changed course that would prevent hitching and can also detect when you may be in danger of reversing past the hitch. With brake and steering controllers mentioned in the patent application, the entire process of getting hitched could be much less stressful and completely hands-free. All diagrams show the occupant outside of the vehicle, looking at a phone, so it seems the new system could be integrated into a mobile app, possibly expanding the functionality of the FordPass app.
Ford has also applied for this patent in Germany, so we expect this to become a globally available feature if it gets the go-ahead.