Internet of things innovation among automotive industry companies has dropped off in the last year

Research and innovation in internet of things in the automotive manufacturing and supply sector has declined in the last year.

The most recent figures show that the number of IoT related patent applications in the industry stood at 308 in the three months ending February – down from 528 over the same period in 2021.

Figures for patent grants related to IoT followed a similar pattern to filings – shrinking from 229 in the three months ending February 2021 to 174 in the same period in 2022.

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, who track patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.

IoT is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.

Toyota Motor Corp was the top IoT innovator in the automotive manufacturing and supply sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in Japan, filed 94 IoT related patents in the three months ending February. That was down from 109 over the same period in 2021.

It was followed by the South Korea based Kia Corp with 40 IoT patent applications, Germany based Porsche Automobil Holding SE (32 applications), and the United States based Ford Motor Co (30 applications).