Ford patents magnetic truck bed.

According to a patent application first spotted by Muscle Cars & Trucks, Ford is seeking to patent a magnetic truck bed.

The application, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in January, describes embedding magnets in the bed of a pickup to secure cargo. According to the drawings attached to the patent application, four to six magnets can be used.

These magnets can be moved to magnetize the entire floor of the cargo bed or can be partially magnetized. According to the application, this can be done with a manually operated handle or automated with a servo. Ford also proposed that the magnets could be turned on and off individually.

The automaker is also targeting a patent for what it calls a magnet tied-down system that could be used on pickups, SUVs, and vans. This would place magnets in more places than just the floor, potentially allowing items to be hung from a magnetized roof, for example.

According to the patent document, the magnets could be activated from a touch screen in the center of the vehicle or from a smartphone app. However, as Muscle Cars & Trucks points out, Ford would need to insulate the wiring to protect the vehicle's electronics from interference from the internally mounted magnet.

As with other automotive patents, it is unclear whether magnetic cargo storage will ever reach production. We do know that Ford has been busy with truck-related patents recently. The company recently filed patents for a variety of ways to utilize the electric F-150 Lightning's massive hangar, including a trisected tailgate and an integrated folding table and stereo system.