Ford and ADT Work Together on Vehicle Security Technology

Ford has announced that they will be teaming up with ADT Inc. to create a new joint project called Canopy. Together, they plan to use Canopy to launch the first multi-sensor security systems with available professional monitoring in the industry.

The FBI estimates that in the United States in 2020, stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion, and also states that theft of valuable work equipment is believed to be underestimated in stolen vehicle reports. The risk of theft poses a major threat to small businesses, who may not be able to cope with the deferral or loss of jobs experienced while replacing stolen items. Ford and ADT’s security system will be valuable in this demographic, especially because an important facet of the security system will be that it be easily installable by the customers themselves. Although the plan is to eventually integrate the system into Ford vehicles at the factory, it was a priority that the first available products be self-installable, making it possible for customers to guard their valuable work and recreational equipment without needing external assistance. Canopy is intended to create a way for people to easily protect themselves.

These new security systems will be available in the U.S. and the U.K., for mainly commercial and retail vehicles at first, including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans and E-Transit. Canopy’s first smart vehicle security system will use acoustic sensors, onboard cameras, radar, LTE, and GPS. The initial product will feature a camera that can be mounted in a van’s cargo area or on a pickup facing the bed. AI technology will identify and report credible threats while also reducing false alarm signals.

Users will be able to access livestream video from their vehicle and receive notifications about suspicious activity, such as breaking glass, metal cutting, or unusual sound or motion. They will also be able to review past events, and speak to potential thieves through a two-way audio system that will eventually become available, not unlike smart doorbell systems on many homes today. The system’s AI is designed to be able to identify true threats. Something like a cat jumping into a pickup bed or construction sounds nearby will be sifted out before the customer is notified.

Canopy products are expected to be released early next year through vehicle dealerships, major retailers, and online, with the help of Ford Pro as a launch partner.