And yet they move: a story of IP and technology assessment

Putting the "auto" in automobile

Until artificial intelligence (AI) inherits the better angels of our nature, a plethora of advanced instruments, processors and programming must fill in for millions of years of biological evolution. By way of proximity sensors, cameras, lidar (light detection and ranging) and radar, a new generation of vehicles is able to perceive its surroundings. Not limited by a single observation point behind a windshield, such vehicles have an unobstructed view to read traffic signs, detect obstacles and follow roadways. Finally, thanks to today's cutting-edge AI models, self-driving cars can anticipate potentially dangerous situations.

All of these systems and technologies must work together flawlessly if autonomous vehicles are to convince governments and the general public of their merits. This is a monumental challenge for any company to take on, but there are those bold enough and possessing of the right talent to rise to the occasion. Nevertheless, orchestrating so many high-demand R&D projects at once requires an IP function that operates at peak performance.

A roadmap for innovation

In this exciting environment, it is critical for manufacturers to offer safe, roadworthy and economically viable vehicles that optimize customer benefits. At the same time, developers need to make their technological progress efficient and effective. This entails identifying and remedying weaknesses in one's own solutions early on, circumventing third-party exclusive rights and shrewdly using the strengths of one's patents and trademarks.

Against this background, one of the leading producers of autonomous vehicles asked Dennemeyer Consulting for support in streamlining its IP creation. Even before starting this project, the business found itself at the forefront of a new paradigm: It was and is one of the few companies in the United States currently allowed to deploy fully driverless cars on public roads, with approval to operate in at least two urban areas.

Of course, no company has it all. Resource pressures meant product development and IP creation needed to be aligned with the overall corporate strategy. In parallel, a thorough patent-based technology assessment was desired to identify growth potentials and minimize risks.

The navigator at your side

Dennemeyer's consultants contributed their experience in IP analytics by crafting an individualized approach that assessed the relevant technology fields and delved into the company's main differentiating features. A patent-based technology analysis allowed the company to gain deeper insights into its progress by answering two key questions.

"What are the opportunities for developing new solutions that strengthen our unique technology profile?"

The first question aimed to uncover general and untapped prospects in the relevant field of knowledge. Based on this outline, company experts then identified, detailed and weighted technology sub-areas and characteristics. Once this was completed, the results were used to design a customized method of patent analysis that accounted for internal priorities and achievable targets.

"Who are the competitors and new players that the company should keep an eye on?"

The second question addressed the market landscape. This analysis reviewed the established players, what technologies they focus on and which up-and-comers would need to be monitored closely. These findings later fed into a consideration of the steps necessary to maintain and expand the company's advantage.

No shortcuts to sustainable growth

Guiding the policy decisions of a research-heavy business by means of IP analytics is an intricate, deeply layered undertaking that demands great care. Hence, an ongoing process of reflecting on interim results was set up. The point was refinement rather than redundancy – take the requested patent survey as an example.

To begin with, the identified patent families received objective scores that considered market data and bibliographical information. In a second pass, the owner's individual technological profile was incorporated, creating subjective, client-specific patent family scores.

Arriving at these values called for a variety of perspectives to ensure no interests were left out of the picture. Once these viewpoints were debated and combined, the company was able to categorize its technological opportunities, competitors and associated risks. Most importantly, this methodology could be applied on a recurring basis and extended to other technical areas and, with some modification, other kinds of IP.

In all, the joint project mapped out the commercial and technology terrain, enabling the company to underscore its customer-visible properties. Protected by patents, trademarks and other types of IP rights, these deliverables are essential to securing a market lead, ensuring sustainable differentiation and thus increasing corporate value.

Where the rubber meets the road

Dennemeyer's analysis of the IP data created a sound basis for our client's strategic decisions. At a time when innovation and competitiveness are key components of success, the result of the investigation serves as a guide for the company to strengthen its position in the market.

Already today, retailers, pick-up services and restaurants use the company's vehicles in approved regions to supply their customers in a pioneering, efficient way. Sophisticated positioning and control systems see these electric vehicles maneuvering safely through narrow alleys and across intersections.

The developer can trust in the IP underlying its product; now it is time for the research, manufacturing, marketing and legal teams to foster a similar confidence in driverless vehicles.

Autonomous delivery vehicles embody a new form of productivity in the logistics industry, and IP enables these innovations to be approached with reduced uncertainty and a clear strategic orientation. As a result, advancements can be accelerated in a targeted manner and creativity can be intensified.

There may be no one behind the wheel, but this technology is certainly not without drive and direction.

A version of this article was first published in CITMA Review.