The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in head-up display instrument clusters is driven by safety and integration with driver assistance systems, voice and gesture control, and growing importance of technologies such as augmented reality (AR), connectivity, holographic and laser-based technologies. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: HUD instrument clusters. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
300+ innovations will shape the automotive industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the automotive industry using innovation intensity models built on over one million patents, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, multi-spark ignition, integrated multi-motor drivetrains and vehicle auxiliary drives are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Solar range extenders, turbocharger shaft bearings, and multi-lamellar clutches are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among the maturing innovation areas are auto-transmission lubrication circuits and electroluminscent vehicle displays, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
HUD instrument clusters is a key innovation area in automotive
Head-up display (HUD) instrument clusters refer to display systems that project essential vehicle information onto the windshield or a separate transparent screen in the driver's line of sight. These clusters enhance safety and convenience by allowing drivers to view critical data without taking their eyes off the road.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 115+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of HUD instrument clusters.
Key players in HUD instrument clusters – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to HUD instrument clusters
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Denso is one of the key patent filers in HUD instrument clusters. Denso has focused working on integrating HUDs with connectivity features, allowing for real-time traffic updates, weather information, and access to a variety of apps and cloud-based content. Denso has focused on developing augmented reality (AR) HUD technology that overlays digital information onto the driver's view of the road, enhancing navigation, safety, and convenience. Panasonic and Toyota Motors are some of the other patent filers in this space.
In terms of application diversity, Komatsu leads the pack, while AGC Glass Europe and Nio stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Komatsu held the top position, followed by Sekisui Chemical and Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
