Ford has obtained a patent registration suggesting that the front trunk of an electric pickup truck may have functionalities beyond simple cargo storage. The detailed concept envisions a large screen stored vertically inside the compartment that rises when activated. Additionally, a surface located just below this screen opens to function as a workbench.
This patent application was submitted in 2024 to the USPTO, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and was made public this week under number 12,741,514. The initial disclosure of the registration occurred via the Fathom Mods website.
The technical drawings show the screen emerging from the front trunk while the lower structure unfolds, creating a support shelf. In one of the visual representations, two people are seen standing in front of the pickup, observing the content displayed on the screen. Ford also included storage compartments, areas that function as work tables, and a safety system to prevent accidents if another vehicle parks too close to the front.
Despite the unit having characteristics of an external television, Ford does not use the term television in the patent document. This functionality could be used to watch movies during camping trips, play video games, give presentations, or serve as a monitor at construction sites or outdoor events. Currently, most electric pickups use this space primarily to store tools, insulated boxes, charging cables, or luggage.
It is important to note that the patent does not mention the Fathom, which is Ford's new compact electric pickup, preventing confirmation that this technology will be implemented in this specific model. However, the fact that the registration focuses specifically on the front trunk points to an application in electric vehicles, which do not have an internal combustion engine occupying that space.
The Fathom represents the automaker's strategy for the entry-level electric pickup segment in the United States, where its estimated starting price is approximately R$ 147 thousand (US$ 28,350). Ford has already invested about R$ 10.4 billion (US$ 2 billion) in a factory dedicated to this model and other vehicles, although the company has not confirmed plans for the Brazilian market.
There is also the possibility that the design was initially conceived for the F-150 Lightning. The application was filed in 2024, before Ford made the decision to discontinue the fully electric version of the large pickup, replacing it with a variant that will use an internal combustion engine as a generator to increase range.
At present, the retractable screen remains only a registered idea. It is common for automakers to patent solutions that do not reach production, and those that do reach dealerships usually undergo significant modifications before being launched.