Toyota Leads Automotive Innovation for 10th Consecutive Year

Toyota continues to lead the automotive industry in innovation, securing its position for the 10th consecutive year as the automaker with the most patents awarded by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Despite a challenging year for patent grants across all industries, Toyota received 2,667 patents in 2023, ranking seventh among all companies. This achievement reflects Toyota's unwavering commitment to advancing technological solutions critical to the future of mobility, including electrification and intelligent transportation systems.

Details:

Toyota's 2023 patents highlight a diverse range of innovations, including:

1. Kinetic Seat Cushion for Vehicles: A pivotal feature of the IsoDynamic Performance Seat, exclusively available on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, designed to deliver a smooth and confident ride for drivers and front passengers. The ISO D seat assembly absorbs vehicle inputs vertically and laterally, reducing overall load and impacts on vehicle occupants.

2. Woven Carbon Fiber Reinforced Steel Matrix Composite: This innovation combines a carbon fiber fabric with a steel matrix, resulting in a lightweight material without compromising performance. By weaving the carbon fiber in a pattern with steel nanomaterial, the composite offers stiffness and can be utilized for lightweighting vehicle parts requiring engineered steel forms.

3. Systems and Methods with Dual Function Coil Providing In-vehicle Wireless Power: Designed for traction-battery-equipped vehicles such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), this technology employs a dual function coil installed in the vehicle. The coil wirelessly receives power from the grid for recharging the battery and transmits power for the integrated auxiliary power supply, eliminating the need for bulky cables and enhancing convenience, system integration, and space efficiency.

Frederick Mau, intellectual property counsel and director of Patent Licensing for Toyota Motor North America, acknowledges the dedication of Toyota team members in driving research and development to discover cutting-edge technologies. Globally, Toyota's commitment to innovation is evident through its substantial investment in research and development, ensuring the continuous development of high-quality vehicles and technologies that meet customer needs and contribute to future societal progress. Read  more... 

Image credit: Toyota Newsroom