12 May 22
News

Toyota committed to innovation with record US patent filings

Toyota committed to innovation with record US patent filings

Toyota is highly committed to innovation and its evolution into a mobility firm considering the record number of patent filings it has made in the United States automobile sector.

In 2021, Toyota led patent filings with 2,753, the most by any automaker in the country. This is still 66 less than 2020 when the company filed 2,819 patents. Most of them are related to electric vehicles, battery technology, autonomous driving systems, software, and artificial intelligence (AI).

“The number of issued patents is a testament to Toyota’s vast R&D efforts and the team members who bring these technologies to life,” says Sandra Phillips-Rogers who is Toyota North America’s VP, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary. 

Toyota’s patent portfolio focuses on technology which will allow its cars to operate autonomously and safely. And to help reduce the risk of accidents, its research efforts include systems for vehicle-to-vehicle communications and detecting pedestrians or cyclists.

“This year’s patent list represents our efforts with respect to vehicle electrification, as evidenced by pioneering battery technology, as well as new IP to support Toyota’s transition into a mobility company,” says IP and patent licensing lead Frederick Mau. 

Much of the OEMs resources are going toward the Woven Planet Group (WPG) which guides the development of autonomous driving and groundbreaking mobility tech. The company has also stepped up the development of “Arene,” its motor vehicle operating system which is seen being incorporated into its cars by 2025.

Authored by: Daniel Bland