Toyota has officially earned the most patents of any automaker in the U.S. In 2020, its scientists and engineers were awarded 2,819 patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a 4 percent increase over 2019.
The ranking was certified by the Intellectual Property Owners Association and the results confirm that Toyota way out ahead of the automotive pack in terms of patents.
And that’s hardly a surprise when you consider the number of patents that funneled their way onto our own pages. Take, for example the car wash judgment patent for autonomous vehicles. The patent would basically be able to tell how to get an autonomous car through a carwash, which when you consider the variation of car washes and the nature of their mechanisms must be a nightmare for autonomous cars.
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Indeed, Toyota has been awarded more than 1,400 patents relating to autonomous cars since 2003. But Frederick Mau, IP counsel and director for Patent Licensing for Toyota Motor North America, says the automaker doesn’t limit itself to any one avenue of research.
“We are pleased to have expanded our patents across a wide range of advanced technology fields over the last year and especially proud of the incredible accomplishments of our team members,” said Mau. “Innovation across Toyota is driving our transition to a mobility company, and Toyota’s leading patent portfolio is one important measure of that progress along with our investments in research, collaboration, and partnerships.”
Our own look through some of Toyota’s patent application documents reveals that Mau isn’t just blowing smoke; there really is a remarkable diversity. For instance, the company has filed for “vehicle airbag testing devices and methods of testing vehicle airbags using the same” (that’s a little perplexing…), “system and method for anti-theft control for autonomous vehicle”, and “tonneau cover with integrated drying cavity”.
Even looking through its 2021 patent applications paints an impressive picture. Mind you, if Toyota wants to keep up this pace, it will have to earn nearly 8 patents a day on average.
