By Ayana Marshall, PhD

Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Innovation 

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), commonly referred to as self-driving cars, use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate their surroundings and make driving decisions without human intervention. 

Patent Age Distribution: Insights into Innovation Maturity 

The age distribution of patents in the autonomous vehicle sector provides valuable insights into the maturity of innovation within this industry. A histogram of patent data reveals that the majority of patents are concentrated in younger age brackets. The largest group of patents falls within the 2–4-year range, followed by those aged 4–6 years, with portfolio sizes steadily decreasing as patents age.  

Forward and Backward Citations: Innovation Interplay 

An analysis of patent citation dynamics further illustrates the competitive landscape of the autonomous vehicle industry. Forward citations, which indicate how often a patent is referenced by later inventions, and backward citations, reflecting references to prior patents, provide a comprehensive view of companies’ innovative strategies. Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. lead in forward citations while Iflight Technology Co. Ltd. has the highest average backward citations. This balance between advancing future technologies and leveraging prior knowledge demonstrates the interplay of innovation within the sector. 

Insights from Patent Activity 

The data on autonomous vehicle patents highlights a technology field where companies are both influencing future developments and building on prior achievements through the interplay of forward and backward citations. Together, these insights paint a picture of the autonomous vehicle industry, showcasing the ongoing advancements in this field. 

Data Source 

The data is sourced from the Harrity Analytics Patent Pulse™ Report on Autonomous Vehicles.  For more information about the Patent Pulse™ Report visit our website HERE, download a complimentary Patent Pulse Report HERE, or contact Harrity Analytics HERE.