Ford has explored ways to make its future vehicles better able to communicate in a variety of ways and has issued patents for ideas such as a remote control system with an array of cameras and screens that allow people inside and outside the vehicle to communicate and see each other, and an adaptive speaker system. Helps to communicate better with others in noisy environments, such as the workplace.

Similar to the above patents, the system aims to provide vehicle occupants with a more efficient way to communicate with others, whether they are inside or outside the vehicle, or speak a different language. The system will utilize microphones and cameras coupled to special computers that can automatically translate one language into another, similar to some already implemented smartphone features (such as Google Translate).

According to the patent filing, it is an audio system for a vehicle that includes a microphone focused on the first designated position of the first person relative to the vehicle, a camera with a field of view surrounding the first designated position, an output device pointed at the second person relative to the second designated position of the vehicle, and a computer that communicates coupled to the microphone, camera, and output device. The computer is programmed to generate the first text in the first language based on input audio data from the microphone and video data from the camera, translate the first text into the second text in the second language, and instruct the output device to output the second text.

Unlike previous patents, the system apparently needs to be built into the car and relies on a display to display translations. In the workplace, for example, such a system could be useful when workers don’t speak English but need to communicate with those who do, and vice versa. This may also be convenient for people visiting other countries and not familiar with the local language, allowing them to communicate with others without resorting to methods such as mobile phone apps.