The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12585281B2, titled "Remote-controlled autonomous driving method and system." This patent, assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, details a method involving external sensors capturing vehicle data, an external processing device determining a movement path, and the transmission of this path and/or control commands to the vehicle for execution. The patent was filed on March 15, 2021, and granted on March 24, 2026, with 20 claims.

This patent grant signifies a new technological development in autonomous driving systems, particularly focusing on remote control and external path determination. While this is a patent grant and not a regulatory rule imposing direct compliance obligations, it may influence future industry standards and product development in the automotive and technology sectors. Companies involved in developing autonomous driving technology, particularly those utilizing external control or remote operation features, should be aware of this granted patent and its potential implications for intellectual property and market entry.