A joint survey by the Nikkei Index and Tokyo-based analyst firm IP Landscape revealed that as of June 1, Apple had filed and disclosed 248 automotive-related patents after the year 2000. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, Apple’s patent applications include self-driving and other vehicle software as well as hardware related to ride comfort (such as seats and suspension) and vehicle networking (V2X) technology.
Akira Yamauchi, CEO of IP Landscape, said, “Apple’s automotive-related patent filings peaked in 2017 and then temporarily decreased. However, if future published applications are included, the total number of applications in 2021 could equal the record set in 2017.”
Source: Nikkei Asian Review
The report noted that Apple began its involvement in the automotive sector around 2014, when it launched a project code-named “Titan” to develop self-driving electric cars, with news that it had hired a large number of researchers in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.
In January 2021, Hyundai was said to be in talks with Apple, and although the South Korean automaker denied the market rumors, it was an open secret that Apple was looking to enter the automotive space.
