Ford and ADT Join Forces to Advance Vehicle Security

Ford Motor Co in Dearborn and ADT Inc. today announced a new joint venture called Canopy. The new service combines ADT’s security monitoring and an AI-driven video camera from Ford to help strengthen the security of new and existing vehicles.
464
Ford and ADT announced a joint venture called Canopy that will combine the companies technological forces to bolster vehicle security. // Courtesy of Ford
Ford and ADT announced a joint venture called Canopy that will combine the companies technological forces to bolster vehicle security. // Courtesy of Ford

Ford Motor Co in Dearborn and ADT Inc. today announced a new joint venture called Canopy. The new service combines ADT’s security monitoring and an AI-driven video camera from Ford to help strengthen the security of new and existing vehicles.

Canopy plans to launch the industry-first multi-sensor security system with available professional monitoring in early 2023.

The first products will be manufactured in the U.S. and U.K. for commercial and retail pickups and vans — including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans, and E-Transits — and will be installable by customers.

“The combination of our technologies and our deep security experience creates a new category of protection for work and personal vehicles,” says Elliot Cohen, chief business development officer at ADT. “Vehicles represent the second-most-valuable asset for consumers, and helping to protect them extends ADT’s safe, smart, and sustainable solutions far beyond the home.”

The FBI estimates that stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion in 2020 in the U.S., and theft of valuable 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.

“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,” says Franck Louis-Victor, vice president of 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.”

Canopy also plans to begin integrating camera security solutions in Ford vehicles next year for seamless protection inside and outside vehicles. It will seek factory-vehicle integrations with other automakers over time.

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.
  • 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 professionals if it detects a person loitering around or breaching the vehicle.

“Commercial customers around the world are laser focused on protecting investments from costly replacements that can impact their bottom lines,” says Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “Canopy will help Ford Pro deliver another service to fleets helping to improve total cost of ownership by staying productive and avoiding downtime associated with stolen tools and damaged vehicles, including the majority with mixed fleets since Canopy technology will be available across brands.”

Ford and ADT’s investment in Canopy is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, and initial funding is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022. The partners expect to invest approximately $100 million during the next three years.

For more information, visit www.canopy.security.