Just Auto

Daily Newsletter

08 August 2023

Daily Newsletter

Signal: Batteries and electrification technologies lead in patents

GlobalData patents database shows batteries and electrification tech as leading sectors for published patents in Q2

As the auto industry gears up to transition from ICE vehicles to electric, GlobalData’s patents database shows that published patents in batteries and others electrification tech are ahead of other sectors.

Data for the second quarter (ended 30 June) shows over 25,400 patents in batteries and 18,800 in other electrification technologies.

In electrification technologies, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia led the field of assignees. Toyota is widely seen as playing catch-up in EVs and related tech areas, having led in conventional hybrids.

In batteries, the leading company assignees of patents – again over the Q2 period – were LG Corp and CATL. Both companies are pressing ahead with expansion plans for automotive powertrain battery manufacturing as well as exploring next generation technological refinements.

Chinese battery maker CATL recently said it has developed new materials for lithium ion batteries which it claims sharply improve charging efficiency for electric vehicles, especially in extreme cold.

Technology patents trends and Toyota’s EV push

CATL claims cold weather battery breakthrough

Our signals coverage is powered by GlobalData’s Disruptor data, which tracks all major deals, patents, company filings, hiring patterns and social media buzz across our sectors. These signals help us to uncover key innovation areas in the sector and the themes that drive them. They tell us about the topics on the minds of business leaders and investors, and indicate where leading companies are focusing their investment, deal-making and R&D efforts.

AI is a key part of the digital revolution shaping the automotive sector

GlobalData estimates the total AI market will be worth $909 billion in 2030, having grown at a CAGR of 35% between 2022 and 2030. The automotive sector is undergoing a digital transformation fuelled by changing global supply-chain dynamics, tighter market competition, and rising inflation. AI is a key part of this digital revolution. Focus is directed toward driver assistance features for safety and hazard detection and greater automation of many vehicle processes and functions. Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), facial recognition, and motion tracking will be vital for developing incockpit safety features such as early driver fatigue detection. For the most part, the automotive sector will not play a significant role in creating and developing generative AI hardware or platforms. Instead, it will be a key driver for innovations in machine learning platforms and associated IoT hardware for autonomous driving and ADAS. This will also help to drive advances and greater scale-up of adoption of these AI technologies in adjacent sectors such as travel and tourism and construction.