Patents and self-driving vehicles

Aim of the study
Self-driving vehicles (SDVs) are expected to be commercially
available from 2025 and have the potential to create a
transport revolution. With an estimated potential market
of some several hundred billion dollars per year by 2030
(A.T. Kearney, 2016), leading automotive companies are
deploying massive R&D capacities to develop new
technologies in this field.
A more diverse range of industrial enterprises is also becoming
involved in the sector, as technology evolves in vehicles.
Established automotive firms, known to be extremely
innovative, must adapt to disruptive digital technologies
coming from other, equally powerful industries, such as
wireless communication and big data. While the new
entrants traditionally have less experience in safe vehicle
design, they lead in software, communication technologies
and artificial intelligence (AI). Many of the underlying
technologies have already been invented, and thousands
of patent applications have been filed to secure the
intellectual property rights to them.
This study provides a comprehensive picture of current
trends and emerging leaders in SDV technologies. By looking
at patent applications in this field, it gives a unique insight
into the race to innovate in smart, connected and
automated vehicles.
Drawing on the most recent patent information from the
European Patent Office (EPO), including as yet unpublished
patent applications, and incorporating advanced technology
expertise in the field, it is a unique source of intelligence
which will enable policy-makers and industry leaders to
understand and anticipate the significant changes that are
on the way.
What are self-driving vehicles?
For the purposes of this study, all technologies enabling
the full automation of vehicles have been identified. The
corresponding SDV patent applications have been divided
into two main technology sectors, each of which is in turn
subdivided into a number of SDV technology fields:
- The first sector - Automated vehicle platform -
encompasses technologies that are embodied in the
vehicle itself. It includes inventions that enable vehicles
to make autonomous decisions (Perception, analysis &
decision), inventions in the automated parts of the
vehicle (Vehicle handling) and inventions in the
underlying hardware and software technologies
(Computing).
- The second sector - Smart environment - comprises
technologies that enable SDVs to interact with each
other and with their surroundings. It includes inventions
in vehicle connectivity and related communication
infrastructure (Communication) and inventions in traffic
management, vehicle identification, automated parking
and interfaces between vehicles and the electricity grid
(Smart logistics).