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 stabilising 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.

290+ 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 619,000 patents, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, resilient spoke wheels, auto-transmission lubrication circuits, and ignition switching engines are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Engine purge actuators, electro-dynamic braking, and adsorptive vapour recovery system estimation are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are collision avoidance braking control system and direct injection type engines, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry

Retarder brake system is a key innovation area in automotive

A retarder is a tool typically used in heavy vehicles to supplement or substitute some of the functions of primary friction-based braking systems. Retarders are used to slow down a vehicle or keep it constant as it descends a hill to stop it from running away and accelerating.

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 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of retarder brake system.

Key players in retarder brake system – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to retarder brake system

Robert Bosch Stiftung is one of the leading innovators in retarder brake systems with 145 patents. The company’s retarder brake systems help in making vehicles safer on the road and extend the brake life service. They are usually used as additional assistance to slow vehicles, with the final braking done by a conventional friction braking system. Other companies innovating in this technology domain are Kia, Honda Motor, and Denso.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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 stabilising 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.

290+ 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 619,000 patents, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, resilient spoke wheels, auto-transmission lubrication circuits, and ignition switching engines are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Engine purge actuators, electro-dynamic braking, and adsorptive vapour recovery system estimation are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are collision avoidance braking control system and direct injection type engines, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry

Resonance type silencers is a key innovation area in automotive

Resonant-type silencers are sound-dampening systems that change the phases of sound and then synthesise them to use their property of mutually cancelling each other, with a powerful effect on exact frequency bands.

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 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of resonance type silencers.

Key players in resonance type silencers – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to resonance type silencers

Yamaha Motors is a key player in the resonance-type silencers innovation area. Yamaha has been working on advancing sound-damping technology such as inner-duct silencers and sound-reducing systems for outdoor units of HVAC systems. These achievements are provided based on experiments and analysis conducted using an acoustic test system and acoustic analysis software. Ford Motors, Hyundai Motor, Honda Motor, and Porsche Automobil are some of the other key players.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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 stabilising 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.

290+ 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 619,000 patents, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, resilient spoke wheels, auto-transmission lubrication circuits, and ignition switching engines are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Engine purge actuators, electro-dynamic braking, and adsorptive vapour recovery system estimation are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are collision avoidance braking control system and direct injection type engines, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry

Resistive braking motors is a key innovation area in automotive

The purpose of a braking resistor is to quickly stop or slow down the mechanical system by producing a braking torque. Braking resistors have features such as resistance, average braking power and higher reliability. The braking resistors with smaller ohmic values are designed to enable motors to stop faster and dissipate more heat.

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 50+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of resistive braking motors.

Key players in resistive braking motors – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to resistive braking motors

Toyota Motor is a key player in the resistive braking motors innovation area. Toyota’s braking resistors require less service and provide higher reliability by reducing wear on friction-based braking components and allowing regeneration that lowers net energy consumption. The resistive braking motors may also be used on railcars with multiple units, light rail vehicles, electric trams, and electric and hybrid electric automobiles. Robert Bosch Stiftung, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, and Siemens are few other key players.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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 stabilising 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.

290+ 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 619,000 patents, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, resilient spoke wheels, auto-transmission lubrication circuits, and ignition switching engines are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Engine purge actuators, electro-dynamic braking, and adsorptive vapour recovery system estimation are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are collision avoidance braking control system and direct injection type engines, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry

Resilient spoke wheels is a key innovation area in automotive

The rims of resilient spoked wheels or suspension wheels are connected to their hubs by wire spokes. The wires used in these wheels are stronger than the normal wire rope and have a similar function as that of tensioned flexible wires while keeping the rim true and supporting applied loads.

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 resilient spoke wheels.

Key players in resilient spoke wheels – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to resilient spoke wheels

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin is a key player in the resilient spoke wheels innovation area. The company’s resilient spoke wheels have airless technology that eliminates the risk of flats and rapid pressure loss and reduces environmental impact. It is a combined airless tyre and wheel assembly for passenger cars that enhances efficiency by reducing the risks of vehicle downtime and eliminating tyre-related maintenance needs such as pressure checks and tyre inflation. Bridgestone, Goodyear Tyre & Rubber, and Sumitomo Electric Industries are some of the other key players.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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 stabilising 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.

290+ 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 619,000 patents, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, resilient spoke wheels, auto-transmission lubrication circuits, and ignition switching engines are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Engine purge actuators, electro-dynamic braking, and adsorptive vapour recovery system estimation are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are collision avoidance braking control system and direct injection type engines, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry

Preformed parts injection moulding is a key innovation area in automotive

Preformed parts injection moulding is a manufacturing process that uses a high-pressure plastic injection to form a variety of automotive parts, such as body panels, interior components, and engine parts. It involves melting plastic resin and injecting it into a precision-machined mould at high pressure. Once inside the mould, the plastic is then cooled and solidified to form durable parts with complex shapes and intricate details. The moulded parts are often made from polypropylene, ABS, nylon, or other specialised plastics.

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 30+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of preformed parts injection moulding.

Key players in preformed parts injection moulding – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to preformed parts injection moulding

BYD is a key player in the preformed parts injection moulding innovation area. BYD and Tederic have formed a strategic cooperation to create injection moulding equipment. Tederic's multi-component injection moulding equipment has helped BYD to avoid imports by offering excellent performance and enabling the production of various products such as headlamp masks, through-tail lamps, and interior and exterior trim parts. Tederic’s injection moulding machines are also helpful in producing optical-grade plastic parts such as through-beam guide bars, headlamp guide bars, and thick-walled lenses. Daicel, Taisei Plas, Hon Hai Precision Industry, and Metso Minerals (Sweden) are some of the other key players.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

Notably, the number of 3D printing-related patent applications in the automotive industry was 196 in Q1 2023, versus 270 in the prior quarter.

The top five companies accounted for 20% of patenting activity

Analysis of patenting activity by companies shows that Robert Bosch Stiftung filed the most 3D printing patents within the automotive industry in Q1 2023. The company filed 12 3D printing-related patents in the quarter, compared with 12 in the previous quarter. It was followed by Ford Motor with 9 3D printing patent filings, Raytheon Technologies (6 filings), and Arkema (6 filings) in Q1 2023.

Patenting activity was driven by Japan with a 15% share of total patent filings

The largest share of 3D printing related patent filings in the automotive industry in Q1 2023 was in Japan with 15%, followed by the US (14%) and Germany (12%). The share represented by Japan was 3% higher than the 12% share it accounted for in Q4 2022.

For further understanding of GlobalData's 3D Printing Market Size, Share, Trends Analysis, and Segment Forecast to 2026 buy the report here.

Notably, the number of autonomous vehicles-related patent applications in the automotive industry was 312 in Q1 2023, versus 461 in the prior quarter.

The top five companies accounted for 21% of patenting activity

Analysis of patenting activity by companies shows that Toyota Motor filed the most autonomous vehicles patents within the automotive industry in Q1 2023. The company filed 17 autonomous vehicles-related patents in the quarter, compared with 23 in the previous quarter. It was followed by Aptiv with 17 autonomous vehicles patent filings, Hyundai Motor (13 filings), and Ford Motor (10 filings) in Q1 2023.

Patenting activity was driven by South Korea with a 19% share of total patent filings

The largest share of autonomous vehicles related patent filings in the automotive industry in Q1 2023 was in South Korea with 19%, followed by China (13%) and the US (10%). The share represented by South Korea was 10% higher than the 8% share it accounted for in Q4 2022.

For further understanding of GlobalData's Automotive Autonomous Vehicles Market Trend Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2036 buy the report here.

Notably, the number of batteries-related patent applications in the automotive industry was 8,260 in Q1 2023, versus 9,186 in the prior quarter.

The top five companies accounted for 25% of patenting activity

Analysis of patenting activity by companies shows that LG filed the most batteries patents within the automotive industry in Q1 2023. The company filed 901 batteries-related patents in the quarter, compared with 853 in the previous quarter. It was followed by Contemporary Amperex Technology with 421 batteries patent filings, Panasonic (301 filings), and Toyota Motor (256 filings) in Q1 2023.

Patenting activity was driven by China with a 26% share of total patent filings

The largest share of batteries related patent filings in the automotive industry in Q1 2023 was in China with 26%, followed by Japan (14%) and South Korea (12%). The share represented by China was 6% lower than the 31% share it accounted for in Q4 2022.

For further understanding of GlobalData's Batteries - Thematic Research buy the report here.

Notably, the number of electric vehicles-related patent applications in the automotive industry was 2,955 in Q1 2023, versus 3,372 in the prior quarter.

The top five companies accounted for 17% of patenting activity

Analysis of patenting activity by companies shows that Toyota Motor filed the most electric vehicles patents within the automotive industry in Q1 2023. The company filed 160 electric vehicles-related patents in the quarter, compared with 173 in the previous quarter. It was followed by Hyundai Motor with 155 electric vehicles patent filings, Kia (87 filings), and Huawei Investment (48 filings) in Q1 2023.

Patenting activity was driven by China with a 35% share of total patent filings

The largest share of electric vehicles related patent filings in the automotive industry in Q1 2023 was in China with 35%, followed by South Korea (10%) and Japan (10%). The share represented by China was 7% lower than the 41% share it accounted for in Q4 2022.

For further understanding of GlobalData's Electric Vehicles Market Analysis by Region, Propulsion Type and Forecast to 2030 buy the report here.

Notably, the number of future of work-related patent applications in the automotive industry was 6,521 in Q1 2023, versus 8,085 in the prior quarter.

The top five companies accounted for 16% of patenting activity

Analysis of patenting activity by companies shows that Toyota Motor filed the most future of work patents within the automotive industry in Q1 2023. The company filed 266 future of work-related patents in the quarter, compared with 290 in the previous quarter. It was followed by Toyota Motor with 257 future of work patent filings, Hyundai Motor (184 filings), and Robert Bosch Stiftung (178 filings) in Q1 2023.

Patenting activity was driven by China with a 28% share of total patent filings

The largest share of future of work related patent filings in the automotive industry in Q1 2023 was in China with 28%, followed by China (27%) and Japan (14%). The share represented by China was 5% lower than the 33% share it accounted for in Q4 2022.

For further understanding of GlobalData's Future of Work – Thematic Research buy the report here.