The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) starters is driven by electrification trends, fuel efficiency standards, and improved start-stop systems, and growing importance of technologies such as integrated starter-generator (ISG), and belt-driven starter-generator (BSG). 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: mild HEV starters. 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-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
Mild HEV starters is a key innovation area in automotive
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) use mild HEV starters that assist the internal combustion engine during startup and operate ancillary systems, such as air conditioning. These starters typically have lower voltage and power than full hybrid electric vehicle starters.
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 135+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of mild HEV starters.
Key players in mild HEV starters – 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 mild HEV starters
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Noco is one of the leading patent filers in mild HEV starters. Noco’s mild HEV starters technology aims to increase efficiency during start-stop events and regenerative braking, thereby optimizing energy recuperation and power delivery. Developments in regenerative braking systems to capture and store more kinetic energy efficiently, further contribute to energy recuperation in the mild HEV system. Some other key patent filers in the space include Hyundai Motor and Briggs & Stratton.
In terms of application diversity, Sumitomo Electric Industries leads the pack, while Techtronic Industries and Safran stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Noco held the top position, followed by Immsi and Sumitomo Electric Industries.
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.
