The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. The innovation in decentralized AV authentication is still in its early stages but is rapidly accelerating. Researchers are developing new zero knowledge proof (ZKP) protocols that can be used to authenticate vehicles to each other and to infrastructure without revealing their identities. Solutions for establishing and administering decentralized digital identities for drivers are being developed by SSI startups. Drivers’ access to their cars and other services may be verified using these identities. Technologies such as SSI are new approaches to identity management that give individuals control over their own identities and data. SSI can be used to create decentralized digital identities that can be used to authenticate users and devices. 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 Cybersecurity in automotive: decentralized AV authenticationBuy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over one million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Decentralized AV authentication is a key innovation area in cybersecurity

Decentralized AV authentication refers to the use of various methods and systems to automate the authentication process for the occupants of autonomous vehicles. These methods use biometric data, vehicle data, and environmental data to ensure secure access and prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle.

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 decentralized AV authentication.

Key players in decentralized AV authentication – 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 decentralized AV authentication

Company Total patents (2010 - 2022) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance 98 Unlock Company Profile
OPTIMUM 3 Unlock Company Profile
Toyota Motor 16 Unlock Company Profile
USAA 2 Unlock Company Profile
Cubic 11 Unlock Company Profile
Cox Enterprises 127 Unlock Company Profile
Alphabet 9 Unlock Company Profile
Hyundai Motor 3 Unlock Company Profile
Aptiv 27 Unlock Company Profile
Panasonic 10 Unlock Company Profile
General Motors 16 Unlock Company Profile
LG 40 Unlock Company Profile
Kia 3 Unlock Company Profile
Ford Motor 74 Unlock Company Profile
Micron Technology 3 Unlock Company Profile
Uber Technologies 2 Unlock Company Profile
Ares Management 1 Unlock Company Profile
NextEV, U.S. 1 Unlock Company Profile
Nio 69 Unlock Company Profile
Beijing TuSimple Future Technology 5 Unlock Company Profile
Pony.ai 2 Unlock Company Profile
Nuro 231 Unlock Company Profile
Azevtec 7 Unlock Company Profile
PlusAI 1 Unlock Company Profile
Outrider Technologies 38 Unlock Company Profile
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric 1 Unlock Company Profile
Uatc 1 Unlock Company Profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Nuro, an American robotics business, is one of the leading patent filers in decentralized AV authentication. With 127 patents filed for an AI system for identifying and approving the reliability of self-driving cars without the requirement for a central authority, Cox Enterprises is another key patent filer in this space, followed by Nuro.

In terms of application diversity, OPTIMUM leads the pack, while Cox Enterprises and Nio stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Nuro held the top position, followed by Cox Enterprises and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Cybersecurity in 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.