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Open-air Netflix anywhere: Ford files patent for tailgate-mounted video projector in the US

Ford's SUV range could option a tailgate-mounted cinema projector and campsite floodlight in the future.

Ford has filed to the US patent office designs for a “video projector mounted to the liftgate”.

The patents, filed in the US only for now, detail a projector lamp mounted next to, or in place of the latch to open the boot of one of Ford’s SUVs.

The idea being, in the open position, the projector would be able to display videos on any surface the open tailgate was pointed at. A boon for campers, Ford also suggests that the projector could also double as a floodlight for camp grounds.

The projector assembly pictured on the inside of the tailgate. The projector assembly pictured on the inside of the tailgate.

There was no further detail offered aside from the patent sketches, with Ford offering a neither here-nor-there response to The Drive who originally uncovered this story stating that "we submit patents on new inventions as a normal course of business but they aren't necessarily an indication of new business or product plans".

So, not an outright “this won’t be coming to a camp ground near you” – but also not that there’s no chance ever.

Ford has previously submitted patents for a similar outdoor cinema concept for its F-150 truck, which is also not set for production any time soon, but a neat development for those who love the outdoors nonetheless.

Would a tailgate projector make the Endura a campsite hero? Would a tailgate projector make the Endura a campsite hero?

As to connectivity, it would be neat to see the inclusion of an HDMI port (which already appears in Honda vehicles for some reason), but another possibility could be through the use of onboard streaming systems on future versions of Ford’s Sync multimedia suite.