Ford is exploring new safety technologies that could make future vehicles smarter and safer in extreme weather. The automaker has filed a patent for a flooded road detection and mitigation system, designed to help drivers avoid dangerous situations caused by high water levels.

Filed on February 7, 2024, and published on August 7, 2025, this patent outlines a system that would use advanced sensors and cameras to scan road conditions ahead. The technology would be able to detect water on the roadway, estimate its depth, and determine whether it poses a threat to the vehicle and its occupants.

If water levels are low, the system may simply alert the driver or continue as normal. But if the sensors determine that floodwaters are too deep, the system could take protective action. This could include warning the driver to stop, rerouting the vehicle, or potentially adjusting vehicle systems to improve safety in hazardous conditions. With floods posing increasing risks worldwide, this innovation could play a life-saving role in the future of mobility.

While patents don’t always result in production features, this filing reflects Ford’s ongoing commitment to driver safety and innovation. If implemented, the flooded road detection system could become an important advancement in accident prevention, making Ford vehicles even more capable in unpredictable environments.