Industrial IP

In the current trend toward zero-emission, hydrocarbon-free forms of transportation, focus has primarily been on light passenger vehicles given the longer-haul nature of most heavy duty vehicle duty cycles as well as the high amounts of torque required for such heavy duty vehicles.  However, recent advancements in technology as well as higher customer demand for electrification is pushing some heavy duty vehicle manufacturers to explore hybrid and all-electric powertrain options.  One sector of the heavy duty vehicle market that is particularly attractive for hybrid or electric powertrains is delivery trucks and other in-town vehicles that have smaller torque requirements and typically include low mileage duty cycles, such as garbage trucks.  To this end, multiple companies, including Volvo and Daimler, have introduced all-electric heavy duty vehicles intended for short-range deliveries; Motiv Power Systems is building electric powertrains for garbage trucks. There are...

Like any emerging technology, entrepreneurs and companies developing applications in the IoT space will seek patent protection for their inventions.  However, obtaining strong patent protection in the IoT space presents unique challenges.  For example, where do you focus protection? Consider an example regarding the emerging technology of autonomous vehicles.  Such vehicles may rely heavily on IoT technologies, including vehicles equipped with IoT-enabled sensors capable of reporting on various variables such as vehicle position with respect to other vehicles and obstacles, environmental parameters which may be utilized to control aspects of vehicle controls, etc.  Furthermore, autonomous vehicles may utilize IoT-based information to assist in navigation, including IoT sensors located at strategic positions on a smart highway, in a smart city’s traffic-control architecture, etc. The inherent difficulty in obtaining patent protection thus lies in that it is likely...