Ford (NYSE: F) and ADT (NYSE: ADT) today said they will invest in a new joint venture called Canopy that combines ADT’s security monitoring and Ford’s artificial intelligence video camera technology. The goal is to help customers strengthen security of new and existing vehicles across automotive brands. Canopy expects to expand offerings to other manufacturers over time, the companies said.
New products will integrate the Safe by ADT platform to provide professional monitoring and help businesses protect work equipment in vehicles and individual owners improve security inside and outside of their vehicles. Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with optional professional monitoring early next year.
The first products to be manufactured and sold will be in the U.S. and the U.K. for the industry’s highest-volume commercial and retail pickups and vans, including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans and E-Transit. It’s claimed they “will be easily install-able by customers” to protect expensive work and recreational equipment.
“Thieves have been even more active during the pandemic and know business owners store valuable equipment in vehicles, often hauling more than $50,000 of gear. Canopy is here for those who’ve had enough of thefts that threaten their livelihoods,” said Franck Louis-Victor, vice president, Ford New Business Platform. “Key to Ford’s software-led transformation are new ideas such as Canopy and collaborating with other innovators such as ADT, which brings to vehicle security their leadership protecting families, homes, and businesses.”
The FBI estimates[1] that stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion in 2020 in the U.S. Theft of work equipment is believed to be underestimated in stolen vehicle reports. Small business owners face even greater opportunity costs with the deferral or loss of jobs while replacing stolen items.
Canopy’s first smart vehicle security system accessory offering will make use of acoustic sensors for vans, onboard cameras, radar, LTE, and GPS. The initial product will have a camera that can be mounted in either a van’s cargo area or on a pickup facing the bed. The platform will use AI technology to identify and report credible threats while reducing false alarm signals.
- Customers will be connected to the system via the Canopy app to livestream video from the vehicle, get notified of suspicious activity, or review past events.
- The system will trigger a smartphone alert of any indicators of potential criminal activity, such as breaking glass, metal cutting, or suspicious motion or sound near the vehicle.
- Customers can warn potential thieves they are being monitored by speaking through the smartphone app, enabled by a two-way audio feature that will be available by next year.
- The system’s AI is designed to distinguish true threats from benign acts – such as a cat jumping into a pickup bed or construction sounds near a vehicle – before alerting the owner or ADT monitoring agents of potential theft.
- The system will alert ADT monitoring if it detects a person loitering around or breaching the vehicle.[2]
ADT monitoring agents can then contact customers, fleet managers, or police to take additional measures to help prevent theft. Credible threats will trigger additional responses, including audible alerts and programmable voice recordings and two-way audio in future updates.
The first-of-its-kind Canopy products will be sold through vehicle dealerships, major retailers, and online. Ford Pro will be a launch partner for commercial and government customers of all sizes. (read AutoInformed.com on: Ford Buys Electriphi to Provide Ford Pro Commercial Customers with Charging and Energy Management; Ford Introduces All-Electric F-150 Lightning Pro – Bring Money)
[1] U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Report.
[2] Requires subscription to ADT professional monitoring tier
Canopy – Ford Forms JV with ADT Home Security
Ford (NYSE: F) and ADT (NYSE: ADT) today said they will invest in a new joint venture called Canopy that combines ADT’s security monitoring and Ford’s artificial intelligence video camera technology. The goal is to help customers strengthen security of new and existing vehicles across automotive brands. Canopy expects to expand offerings to other manufacturers over time, the companies said.
New products will integrate the Safe by ADT platform to provide professional monitoring and help businesses protect work equipment in vehicles and individual owners improve security inside and outside of their vehicles. Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with optional professional monitoring early next year.
The first products to be manufactured and sold will be in the U.S. and the U.K. for the industry’s highest-volume commercial and retail pickups and vans, including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans and E-Transit. It’s claimed they “will be easily install-able by customers” to protect expensive work and recreational equipment.
“Thieves have been even more active during the pandemic and know business owners store valuable equipment in vehicles, often hauling more than $50,000 of gear. Canopy is here for those who’ve had enough of thefts that threaten their livelihoods,” said Franck Louis-Victor, vice president, Ford New Business Platform. “Key to Ford’s software-led transformation are new ideas such as Canopy and collaborating with other innovators such as ADT, which brings to vehicle security their leadership protecting families, homes, and businesses.”
The FBI estimates[1] that stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion in 2020 in the U.S. Theft of work equipment is believed to be underestimated in stolen vehicle reports. Small business owners face even greater opportunity costs with the deferral or loss of jobs while replacing stolen items.
Canopy’s first smart vehicle security system accessory offering will make use of acoustic sensors for vans, onboard cameras, radar, LTE, and GPS. The initial product will have a camera that can be mounted in either a van’s cargo area or on a pickup facing the bed. The platform will use AI technology to identify and report credible threats while reducing false alarm signals.
ADT monitoring agents can then contact customers, fleet managers, or police to take additional measures to help prevent theft. Credible threats will trigger additional responses, including audible alerts and programmable voice recordings and two-way audio in future updates.
The first-of-its-kind Canopy products will be sold through vehicle dealerships, major retailers, and online. Ford Pro will be a launch partner for commercial and government customers of all sizes. (read AutoInformed.com on: Ford Buys Electriphi to Provide Ford Pro Commercial Customers with Charging and Energy Management; Ford Introduces All-Electric F-150 Lightning Pro – Bring Money)
[1] U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Report.
[2] Requires subscription to ADT professional monitoring tier