In the automotive industry, robotics is rapidly advancing, linking innovations like automatic driving functions, integrated navigation for robots, and modifications in vehicle behavior. Despite a recent decline in patent applications, strategic investments and hiring trends underscore the growing importance of robotics in automotive advancements, with China leading in adoption followed by the US, India, Germany, and Japan. The impact of robotics extends beyond the automotive sector, influencing various industries. GlobalData’s robotics market report provides comprehensive analysis of the robotics market. Buy the report here.
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This article presents a quarterly round-up of the latest trends in the automotive industry regarding robotics. It provides an overview of recent developments in robotics-related deals, talent acquisition, and patent filings within the automotive industry.
Diverse applications of robotics in automotive industry
Automotive companies like Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, and Deere are leveraging new robotics technologies through recent patents to innovate and improve their businesses. These patents focus on advancements such as automatic driving functions, integrated navigation for robots, testing reuse across different protolane families, and modifying vehicle behavior based on boundary types. By acquiring these patents, the companies can benefit from improved efficiency, safety, and performance in their robotics applications. For example, Toyota can enhance its work vehicles with automatic driving capabilities, while Hyundai can optimize robot navigation in various environments. Ford can streamline testing processes, and Deere can improve the behavior of autonomous off-road vehicles. Overall, these patents offer valuable tools for automotive companies to stay at the forefront of robotics technology.
The industry experienced a 54% decline in the number of robotics-related patent applications in Q4 2023 compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, the number of robotics-related patent applications in the automotive industry witnessed a drop of 17% compared with Q4 2022.
Strategic deal trends in robotics in automotive industry
Automotive companies are not only focusing on innovation to enhance their patent portfolios but are also making strategic investments in robotics. These investments aim to secure lucrative deals with partners and position themselves at the forefront of industry advancements. Some of the recent deals underscore the importance of robotics in the automotive industry.
In Q4 2023, the number of robotics-related deals in the automotive industry grew by 67% compared with Q4 2022. On a quarterly basis, there was 100% increase in the number of deals in Q4 2023 compared with the previous quarter.
Impact on hiring
In terms of new job posting, in Q4 2023, the automotive industry experienced a 26% drop compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, job postings also declined by 40%. Notably, architecture and engineering occupations, with a share of 28%, emerged as the top robotics-related job roles within the automotive industry in Q4 2023, with new job postings drop by 25% quarter-on-quarter. Computer and mathematical occupations came in second with a share of 17% in Q4 2023, with new job postings dropping by 36% over the previous quarter. The other prominent robotics roles include installation, maintenance, and repair occupations with a 16% share in Q4 2023, and production occupations with a 6% share of new job postings.
Tesla, Continental, General Motors, Magna International, and Valeo are among the top companies leading in robotics hiring within the automotive industry.
Countries driving adoption of robotics in automotive industry
China is the leading country in robotics adoption within the automotive industry, boasting the highest number of robotics-related patents, jobs, and deals. Meanwhile, the US, India, Germany and Japan also maintain significant positions in robotics adoption within the automotive industry.
As robotics transforms the automotive sector, strategic deals and increased hiring underscore its pivotal role. Despite a decline in patent applications, a surge in industry deals, and China's leadership in adoption, the automotive landscape is evolving, driven by innovations in automatic driving and integrated navigation.
To further understand GlobalData's analysis on robotics in the automotive industry, buy the report here.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. 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.
