Ford is preparing the Fathom, an affordable electric pickup expected to start around $28,350, and a newly published patent hints at a surprising feature that could make its front trunk far more than a simple storage compartment.
The patent describes a fold-out display built into the frunk, along with a folding shelf or mini workbench. While Ford does not identify the Fathom in the patent, the design offers a glimpse at how the automaker could rethink the front of an electric truck.
Ford Fathom Patent Shows an Unusual Frunk
Filed with the USPTO in 2024 and published this week as patent No. 12741514, the filing describes a cargo access system featuring a large display panel hidden vertically inside the front trunk. Fathom Mods was the first to pick up the patent filing.
The patent sketches show an electric pickup with its frunk open and a large screen raised from inside the compartment. A panel also folds down below the display to form a shelf or small workbench.
Two people are shown standing in front of the truck and looking at the screen. The setup appears more like an outdoor TV or portable presentation system than a conventional vehicle display.
Ford does not actually describe the screen as a TV, but the design points toward a large display intended for outdoor use. Combined with the folding shelf, the system could be used for camping, tailgates, job sites, movie nights, gaming or presentations away from an office.
Could the Feature Be Intended for the Ford Fathom?
The Fathom name does not appear anywhere in the patent, meaning there is no confirmation that the feature will be offered on Ford’s new electric pickup.
Still, the patent focuses entirely on a front trunk, a feature made possible by the absence of a gas engine occupying that space. That raises the possibility that the technology could be intended for Ford’s next-generation electric truck.
Another possibility is that the system was originally developed for the F-150 Lightning. Because the patent application was filed in 2024, it could have been created before Ford decided to retire the full-size model as part of its future electric truck strategy.
Ford Is Rethinking the Electric Truck Frunk
The patent goes beyond the display itself. Ford also shows storage cubbies and workbench-style surfaces, suggesting a front trunk designed for more than simply carrying cargo.
The system includes a fail-safe mechanism for situations in which another vehicle is parked too close to the front of the Fathom.
Most electric trucks use their front storage areas for cargo, coolers, tools or chargers. Ford’s patent instead envisions the space as a combination of storage area, entertainment hub and mobile office.
The Patent Does Not Guarantee Production
A fold-out screen could have several practical uses. At a campsite, it could provide a place to watch a movie, while at a job site or outdoor event it could function as a monitor. The shelf underneath could also provide space for gear or snacks.
The feature could give a smaller electric pickup a distinctive capability without requiring a large accessory to be attached to the truck bed.
However, the patent does not mean the system will reach production. Automakers routinely patent concepts that never make it beyond the drawing board, while features that do reach production can still be changed before they appear in showrooms.
