Key Takeaways

  • Toyota leads the global automotive sector with over 236,000 patents filed from 2002 to 2022.
  • Automotive innovation is increasingly driven by trends in electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and vehicle connectivity.
  • Tech companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook are key players in mobility services and vehicle interface technologies.
  • Major patent filers include not only automakers like Ford and GM, but also suppliers like Bosch and Continental.
  • Unique automotive patents include unconventional inventions such as dog-washing stations and rotating dashboards.
  • Patent quality and filing trends vary, but high volumes often correlate with significant innovation investment.

Automotive patents cover various innovative and technological components in the auto industry. Patents are usually held by car manufacturers and supply firms, but other companies around the world also hold them.

Autonomous-Driving Patents

In the area of self-driving cars, Germany leads the world in patent filing. Between 2010 and 2017, over 5,800 auto-driving patents were filed. More than 50 percent were filed by traditional auto manufacturers, and almost 30 percent were filed by established companies in the auto supply industry. German automotive companies registered for 52 percent of the patents for autonomous driving.

Of the companies in the top 10 for patent filing, including suppliers and car makers, six of them were German. The other four companies were the following:

  • GM
  • Ford
  • Google
  • Toyota

Bosch, a tech-supplier, filed over 950 patents, followed by Continental and Audi.

Germany enjoys a high-level position in the auto segment, so auto manufacturers in the country are in an ideal position to gain a competitive edge in the market for self-driving vehicles. Customers looking for premium cars have the resources to pay more money for assistant systems. They also have the resources to purchase completely autonomous cars. 

Once these self-driving vehicles are widely available on the mass market, Germany can sell them at a favorable price. The country has a strong customer base in both markets. Germany also led the world in establishing rules for driverless cars.

It makes sense for auto manufacturers to also focus on green vehicles. There's pressure, especially across China and Europe, to move to no-carbon or low-carbon economies. There's also an expected increase in emissions regulation.

Top Global Patent Holders in the Automotive Sector

From 2002 to 2022, Toyota Motor Corporation topped the charts with more than 236,000 automotive patents, reflecting its aggressive push into hybrid, autonomous, and sustainable technologies. Following Toyota, Robert Bosch GmbH and Hyundai Motor Group also ranked highly with significant patent activity, particularly in mobility systems and vehicle electrification.

This surge in patent filings highlights a growing emphasis on automotive innovation, with top companies focusing on areas such as:

  • Electric powertrains
  • Battery management systems
  • Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
  • Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication
  • Infotainment and in-vehicle connectivity

Notably, Bosch’s involvement as a key supplier and innovator makes it a dominant non-OEM patent filer, while Hyundai’s increasing investments in hydrogen fuel cells and EVs demonstrate strategic technological diversification.

Tech Companies and Ride-hailing Firms

Researchers looking into automotive patents weren't always able to tell how close some patents came to actually being applied or the quality level of the patents. There's some complexity when you consider partnerships between the following: 

  • Tech companies
  • Car makers
  • Ride-hailing firms

These partnerships are forming all the time. With so many technological innovations constantly occurring in the automotive industry, even tech giants are getting a foothold in the space.

Apple, Facebook, and Google are making big strides toward creating different visions of mobility. These companies want to focus on driver experience, and they have a wealth of resources to pour into making these visions a reality. As a result, they could steal some of the limelight — and take away some of the profits — from the car-making companies that understandably expected to dominate the market of self-driving technology and car connectivity.

Google, which once thought about creating its own fleet of vehicles, is arguably the biggest tech contender in this space. The company has kept pace with leading auto companies in its patenting of intellectual property.

When it comes to mobility services, which includes app development and navigation technologies, tech companies filed 55 patents compared to the 44 filed by automakers. Uber held last place with only two patents, and Google led with 30 patents, followed by Apple, with just 14.

Patent Filing Trends and Innovation Hotspots

Recent trends show a sharp increase in patent filings related to electric vehicles, autonomous navigation, telematics, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Over the last decade, these technologies have become core areas for innovation as automakers and tech companies race to redefine mobility.

Leading innovation themes in automotive patents include:

  • Electrification: motor design, thermal management, and battery optimization
  • ADAS: LiDAR, radar, and sensor fusion systems
  • Connectivity: over-the-air updates, cloud-based diagnostics, and 5G integration
  • Sustainable materials: lightweight composites and recyclable interiors

China, South Korea, and the U.S. lead in filing volumes, reflecting strong R&D ecosystems in these countries. The competitive patenting landscape shows that volume does not always equate to quality, with several companies pursuing quantity strategies for portfolio leverage rather than functional applications.

Ford's Autonomous Vehicle Patents

Ford Motor Co. has ideas to design the inside of autonomous vehicles to more closely resemble people's living spaces, such as conference rooms or kitchens. To that end, Ford has patented a retractable table to use in driverless cars. 

In self-driving cars, the interior setup can be completely different from traditional cars, since drivers don't have to look at the road. Instead, seats could be placed around a table and passengers could face inward. They might play games, eat, or work on their laptops. When not being used, the table would retract into the floor. 

The table would also include an airbag. In the event of a crash, the airbag would inflate to reduce the likelihood of an occupant having an impact with the table. Although the table idea is a glimpse into a potential future of driverless cars, Ford may or may not bring the idea to market. Ford has filed patents for other features in driverless cars, including a removable wheel, seats that can be reconfigured, and a movie projector screen.

The automaker said it has plans to introduce a Level 4 autonomous vehicle. This is projected to take place in 2021, and the vehicle will be for commercial use, such as package delivery or ride-hailing.

Unusual and Creative Automotive Patents

Beyond high-tech advancements, the patents in automotive industry also include some truly inventive and unconventional ideas. Automakers have filed for a range of quirky patents, demonstrating the creative thinking that sometimes underpins more serious innovations.

Examples include:

  • BMW’s self-healing car paint that repairs scratches with heat
  • Toyota’s in-vehicle fragrance system to personalize cabin scents
  • Ford’s dog-washing station for vehicle owners with pets
  • Chevrolet’s rotating dashboard for immersive entertainment experiences
  • Honda’s see-through truck hood to enhance pedestrian safety

While many of these patents may never reach production, they highlight the breadth of ideation occurring in automotive R&D. Such inventions often serve as foundational concepts for more refined features or provide companies with strategic patent coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the top companies for patents in the automotive industry? Toyota, Bosch, Hyundai, and Ford are among the leaders in patent filings, with a strong focus on EVs, autonomous systems, and vehicle connectivity.

2. What types of innovations are most patented in the automotive sector? The most common patents involve electric vehicle technologies, self-driving systems, connectivity features, and energy efficiency improvements.

3. Are tech companies filing patents in the automotive space? Yes, companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook are increasingly involved, particularly in navigation, infotainment, and autonomous vehicle platforms.

4. What is the significance of unusual or strange car patents? These patents reflect early-stage innovation and exploratory thinking. While some may seem impractical, they often lay the groundwork for more refined features.

5. How can companies protect their automotive inventions? Filing a utility patent through the USPTO (or relevant international body) is the primary way to secure legal protection for an automotive innovation.

If you need help with how to file a patent, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.