The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Autonomous vehicle (AV) braking control innovation is driven by growing demand, sensor technology advancements, and new strategies, including LiDAR, radar, machine learning, and communication-based systems. AV braking control technologies include LiDAR, radar, machine learning, and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, enabling real-time hazards detection and V2V communication for improved safety. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.7 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: AV braking control. 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, integrated multi-motor drivetrains, electric power steering (EPS), and post-collision handling are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Variable compression engines, V2V distance monitoring, and turbocharger shaft bearings are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among the maturing innovation areas are kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and plasma-jet ignition, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
AV braking control is a key innovation area in automotive
AV braking control refers to the automated system in autonomous vehicles that controls and adjusts the brake system, in response to inputs such as sensor data, control signals, and vehicle dynamics, to ensure safe and efficient braking performance in different driving scenarios.
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 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of AV braking control.
Key players in AV braking control – 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 AV braking control
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Hyundai Mobis | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Magna International | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| HL Mando | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Toyota Motor | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Baidu | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| iRobot | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Alphabet | 101 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Robert Bosch Stiftung | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zhejiang Geely | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hyundai Motor | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Aptiv | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LG | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Denso | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kia | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intel | 29 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ford Motor | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Micron Technology | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Uber Technologies | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Stellantis | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Edge Case Research | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| TuSimple | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ipgate | 31 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Stella Vermogensverwaltungs | 18 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Toyota Motor | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Alphabet is one of the leading patent filers in AV braking control. The company's latest patent focuses on a system using sensors and machine learning to improve autonomous vehicle braking performance in slippery or icy conditions. Ipgate and Intel are some of the other key patent filers in AV braking control.
In terms of application diversity, Intel leads the pack, while iRobot and Alphabet stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Alphabet held the top position, followed by Intel and Ipgate.
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.
