Ford has teamed up with security specialist ADT on a new joint venture that will help businesses and drivers protect their vehicles and equipment.

Dubbed Canopy, the new JV will combine ADT’s professional security monitoring and Ford’s AI-driven video camera tech to provide a security platform for a variety of vehicle makes and models

Dubbed ‘Canopy’, the business will combine ADT’s professional security monitoring and Ford’s AI-driven video camera tech to provide a security platform for a variety of vehicle makes and models.

The “industry-first” multi-sensor security systems with professional monitoring will initially launch early 2023. The first products to be manufactured and sold will be available in the US and UK 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. But Canopy expects to expand its offering to other manufacturers over time.

The solutions are aimed at businesses of all sizes as well as private drivers looking to protect both their vehicles and contents, and are being designed for easy instal 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 first smart vehicle security system accessory offering will deploy 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.

Using AI technology, 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 will alert ADT monitoring professionals who will then contact customers, fleet managers, or police to take action.

Customers can also use the Canopy app to livestream video from the vehicle, get notified of suspicious activity, or review past events.

And users will even be able to warn potential thieves they are being monitored by speaking through the smartphone app, enabled by a two-way audio feature arriving by next year. Canopy is also developing audible alerts and programmable voice recordings in future updates.

The products will be sold online as well as through vehicle dealerships and major retailers – in particular through the new Ford Pro global vehicle services and distribution business.

Canopy also will explore relationships with other automotive, insurance and technology companies to expand the offering, explore insurance benefits for use of the technology and co-develop new innovations.

Ford and ADT’s investment in Canopy is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approvals. Initial funding is expected to close in Q2 2022 and the partners expect to invest approximately $100m (£73.4m / €88m) over the next three years.