Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a system that lets electric vehicles perform “tank turns” and “crab walks.” Document number 12447969 was submitted on August 31, 2022, and published on October 21, 2025.

The technology enables independent control of the front and rear wheels, allowing a vehicle to pivot on the spot or move diagonally. Similar capabilities already feature on the GMC Hummer EV and are planned for the second-generation Rivian R1S and R1T, so Ford’s interest aligns with where the EV market is heading.

Company representatives characterize patent filings as a routine step to protect intellectual property. They emphasize that such applications do not guarantee series production, but they do indicate ongoing work in this area—more a strategic option than a promise. The company also notes that new solutions could appear in future vehicles in 2026.