
Toyota, which has its Research Institute in Ann Arbor, was awarded more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2023 than any other automaker, according to the annual report by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).
This is the 10th consecutive year Toyota has earned the top spot in patents. Globally, Toyota spends approximately $1 million per hour on research and development.
Despite a year that saw a 3 percent overall decline in patents granted across all industries in the United States, Toyota ranked seventh among all companies awarded patents in 2023, receiving a total of 2,667 patents.
“This achievement continues to underscore Toyota’s unwavering commitment to innovation, particularly in areas critical to the future of mobility such as electrification and intelligent transportation solutions,” says Sandra Phillips Rogers, senior vice president of corporate resources and chief legal officer at Toyota Motor North America. “Our focus is on creating sustainable and advanced technological solutions and contributing to the betterment of society and the industry at large, all while ensuring our innovations are recognized through filings with the USPTO.”
Toyota’s 2023 patents showcase the company’s wide-ranging innovations, including:
- Kinetic seat cushion for vehicles – A key element of the isoDynamic performance seat, debuting exclusively on the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. It was engineered to help provide a smooth ride for those in the driver and front passenger seats. The ISO D seat assembly’s design is meant to absorb vehicle inputs vertically and laterally, reducing the overall load and impacts onto the vehicle occupant.
- Woven carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composite – A carbon fiber fabric of long, organized fibers within a steel matrix. It was developed to produce a lighter weight material without sacrificing performance. By layering the carbon fiber in a weaving pattern sintered with steel nanomaterial, the composite is stiff. This material can be used for lightweighting vehicle parts where engineered forms of steel are needed.
- Systems and methods with dual function coil providing In-vehicle wireless power – This development for traction-battery-equipped vehicles (PHEVs & BEVs) uses a dual function coil, installed in the vehicle, that can wirelessly receive power from the grid for recharging the battery and transmit power for the integrated auxiliary power supply. The technology is designed to eliminate the need for bulky cables, many connectors, and duty plugs to provide in-vehicle charging and small load power supply (for cabin lights, screens, mobile devices, etc.). The goal is to enhance convenience and system integration as well as reducing space needs, cost, and weight of the vehicle.
“Toyota team members work very aggressively at research and development to discover cutting-edge technology for propelling the company forward,” says Frederick Mau, intellectual property counsel and director of patent licensing for Toyota Motor North America. “It’s impressive to see the fruits of their efforts reflected in these rankings every year.”