자동차 특허 벤치마킹 : 북미(2026-2040년)

The Mobility Sector is Experiencing Transformational Growth Due to Innovation

This Frost & Sullivan analysis examines the evolution of mobility innovation through a comprehensive benchmarking of automotive and mobility-related patents across connected, autonomous, shared, and electric (CASE) mobility dimensions. Using patent data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office spanning 1976 to 2040, the analysis maps long-term technological shifts, identifies inflection points, and evaluates innovation intensity across multiple transport modes, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles, rail, maritime, aerospace, and logistics. Rather than estimating market size or revenues, the report uses patent volume, thematic weight, volatility, and growth trajectories as proxies for innovation momentum and strategic relevance.

The findings reveal a clear structural transition in mobility research and development (R&D) priorities. Mechanical and internal combustion engine-centric innovation dominates early periods, while post-2008 electrification and post-2010 autonomy and data-driven technologies redefine the competitive baseline. Increasing convergence between mobility, information and communications technologies, and energy systems is evident, underscoring the shift toward software-defined and platform-based mobility ecosystems. The analysis highlights how patent activity serves as a leading indicator of future growth opportunities, ecosystem realignment, and cross-industry collaboration. The study provides a forward-looking framework for understanding how innovation dynamics shape strategic choices in the mobility sector and its adjacent markets. In this report:

• Patent activity signals a decisive shift from mechanical engineering toward electrification, autonomy, and data-centric mobility platforms.
• CASE innovation trends act as early indicators of growth opportunities across automotive, information and communications technologies, energy, and logistics.
• Long-term patent analysis enables firms to anticipate technology life cycles, consolidation phases, and emerging areas of strategic advantage.

Table of Contents

Growth Environment: Transformation in Mobility Sector

• Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
• The Strategic Imperative 8-TM
• The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Automotive Patents Sector

Growth Environment: Ecosystem in the Mobility Sector

• Scope of Analysis
• Segmentation

Benchmarking of Automotive Patents by CASE Verticals

• CASE_CONNECTED: Connectivity Shifts from Signals to Platforms-The Data Backbone Emerges
• CASE_AUTONOMOUS: Autonomy Evolves in Waves, from Algorithms to AI-Driven Logistics
• CASE_SHARED: Shared Mobility Moves Slowly, from Experiments to Fleet Platforms
• CASE_ELECTRIC: Electrification Surges Post-2008, from Niche to Industry Standard
• MODE_PV: Passenger Vehicles Pivot from ICE Legacy to Electric Futures
• MODE_CV: Commercial Vehicles Pivot from Diesel Dominance to EV & Data Integration
• MODE_OHW: OHW Innovation Moves from Hardware Reliability to AI & Autonomy in the Field
• MODE_LAND: Rail Advances from Control Mandates to Autonomous Systems
• MODE_AIR: Aerospace Reinvented from Thermal Spikes to Electrified Propulsion
• MODE_WATER: Maritime Shifts from Diesel Engines to Green & Autonomous Navigation
• LOGISTICS: Transforms from Mechanical Fleets to Digital Automation

Automotive Patents Sector, North America

• Problem Statement & Motivation
• Glossary: Key Metrics Used to Analyze the Evolution of Automotive Themes from 1976 to 2025*
• Stepwise Model Development Process: Manual Coding in Phase 1 Categorizes Patents
• Stepwise Model Development Process: A Structured Sequence of Actions Build and Validate Models
• Patent Theme Statistical Overview: Interpreting Statistical Patterns
• CASE_CONNECTED: From Signals to Platforms, Sharp Surge, Temporary Dip, Rebound
• CASE_CONNECTED: V2X and Cloud Platforms Now Dominate Connected Vehicle Innovation
• CASE_CONNECTED: Peak Innovation, Consolidation, then New Emergence
• CASE_AUTONOMOUS: Two Major Spikes, AI-Driven Disruption, and Data Integration

CASE_AUTONOMOUS: The Post-2010 Patent Surge Marks the Dawn of the Autonomous Vehicle Era

CASE_AUTONOMOUS: AI-Era Autonomy to Lead to Consolidation and New Breakthroughs

CASE_SHARED: Early Digitalization, but Weak Overall Patent Activity

CASE_SHARED: Shared Mobility Innovation is Driven by Data and Fleets

CASE_SHARED: Standardized Apps, then Autonomous Services

CASE_ELECTRIC: EV Powertrains Surge Post-2008, Safety Rises, ICE Innovation Fades

CASE_ELECTRIC: EV Adoption Drives Explosive Growth, Making Combustion Engines Legacy

CASE_ELECTRIC: EV Innovation to Peak by 2030, followed by Consolidation

MODE_PV: Electric & Hybrid Powertrain Leads Tech Evolution in PV Since 2015

MODE_PV: Passenger Vehicles Pivoting from Combustion to Electric Powertrains

MODE_PV: Electrification Dominance, then Autonomous Peak, then Commoditization

MODE_CV: Sharp Rise in Electric & Hybrid Powertrain Patents During Late 2010s

MODE_CV: CV Innovation Now Driven by Electrification and Data

MODE_CV: Peak EV Innovation, then Commoditization and New Uses

MODE_OHW: Rapid Rise of Safety, Data, and Electric Tech Since 2015

• MODE OHW: Software and Electrification Now Drive Off-Highway Vehicle Innovation
• MODE OHW: Scale-Up Autonomy, then a Software Revolution
• MODE LAND: Railway Data Reveals a Surge in Autonomous Driving and Thermal Management Systems Post-2010
• MODE LAND: Vehicle R&D Pivoting to Electric and Autonomous Systems
• MODE LAND: Electrification Dominance, then an Autonomous Peak, then Commoditization
• MODE AIR: Volatile Spikes, Thermal in 2017, Electrified Propulsion in 2020
• MODE AIR: Aerospace Innovation Driven by Efficiency and Electric Propulsion
• MODE AIR: Peak Electrification, then Platform Consolidation
• MODE WATER: Electric & Hybrid Powertrain Surges in Water Tech Post-2015
• MODE WATER: Maritime Innovation Shifts from Diesel to Electric, Autonomous Systems
• MODE WATER: Maritime Future: Green Fuels, Peak Autonomy, then Commoditization
• LOGISTICS: Innovation Shifts from Mechanics to Intelligence
• LOGISTICS: Autonomy, Data, and Safety Drive the Next Logistics Leap
• LOGISTICS: From Engines to Ecosystems, Logistics Faces its Autonomous Future

Growth Opportunity Analysis

• Growth Drivers
• Growth Restraints

Growth Opportunity Universe in Automotive Patents Sector

• Growth Opportunity 1: Electric & Hybrid Powertrain Surge
• Growth Opportunity 2: Seat & Safety Systems Innovation
• Growth Opportunity 3: Data Processing & Communication for Connected Vehicles

Appendix & Next Steps

• Benefits and Impacts of Growth Opportunities
• Next Steps
• List of Exhibits
• Legal Disclaimer