The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by consumer demand for convenience and safety features, informed decision-making, and regulatory requirements, and growing importance of technologies such as sensors, vehicle tracking software, and Internet of Things (IoT). 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 Internet of Things in automotive: AV tire health monitoring. 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, LiDAR scanners, smart automotive lighting, and autonomous steering are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Vehicle sensor network, AV tire health monitoring, and collision avoidance systems are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are remote trip monitoring and smart speed governors, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for Internet of Things in the automotive industry
AV tire health monitoring is a key innovation area in Internet of Things
AV tire health monitoring involves monitoring the condition of tires on autonomous vehicles (AVs) through various means such as measuring inflation pressure, temperature, and other indicators to detect potential defects or issues. This information is then used to alert the driver or control system of the vehicle, enabling preventative steps to be taken to avoid accidents and extend the lifespan of the tires. The technology is crucial for maintaining AV safety, reducing downtime, and improving fuel efficiency and emissions.
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 10+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of AV tire health monitoring.
Key players in AV tire health monitoring – 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 tire health monitoring
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2022) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Baidu | 85 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Alphabet | 110 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hyundai Motor | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Aptiv | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nissan Motor | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Honda Motor | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| General Motors | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sharp | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| PACCAR | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LG | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Denso | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Continental | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kia | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ford Motor | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hanwha Aerospace | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Alphabet is one of the leading patent filers in AV tire health monitoring. With the help of the technology, a variety of operating parameters for the tire are monitored over time, as the tire is subjected to actual operating conditions. Some other key patent filers in the space include Baidu, Nissan Motor, and Continental.
In terms of application diversity, Alphabet leads the pack, while Sharp and Hanwha Aerospace stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Alphabet held the top position, followed by Nissan Motor and Baidu.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Internet of Things (IoT) 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.
