Detroit, Michigan — Fans of electric vehicles and drive-in movie theatres will be thrilled to know Ford has filed a new feature that turns the F-150 Lightning’s “front trunk”—or “frunk” —into a retractable projector screen.
The patent, first uncovered by Motorauthority and published April 24, 2024, details a large screen that is extendable from a case mounted toward the back of the frunk. When the frunk is open, the screen can rise out of a slot in the housing when summoned. The automaker suggests the feature will be ideal for entertainment when tailgating or camping.
A smaller projector can also be mounted to the underside of the front grille.
Rivian filed a similar patent last year—a projector screen that can be used within the R1T electric pickup’s gear tunnel. Rivian’s patent, however, features a screen about double the size of Ford’s.
Ford has previously filed patent applications for entertainment-focused features, like a fold-out table and Bluetooth speakers, though not much has surfaced since those patents were originally filed.
