The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in electric brake controls is driven by vehicle electrification, brake health monitoring, safety standards and regulations, and growing importance of technologies such as rake-by-wire technology, regenerative braking, and predictive braking systems. 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: electric brake controls. 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 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
Electric brake controls is a key innovation area in automotive
Electric brake controls refer to systems and methods used to control the braking of electric vehicles through the use of electronic components. These controls enable the modulation of braking force and allow for regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy to be stored and reused. Electric brake controls play a crucial role in the safe and efficient operation of electric vehicles.
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 40+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of electric brake controls.
Key players in electric brake controls – 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 electric brake controls
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Nissan Motor is one of the leading patent filers in electric brake controls. Nissan’s electric brake controls and adaptive braking systems dynamically adjust braking force based on real-time data, such as vehicle speed, traffic conditions, and the driver's inputs, optimizing safety and performance. Some other key patent filers in this space include Toyota Motor and Porsche Automobil.
In terms of application diversity, Rolls-Royce leads the pack, while Alstom and Toshiba stood in the second and third positions respectively. By means of geographic reach, Nissan Motor held the top position, followed by Komatsu and Siemens.
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.
