Ford Tops Industry for U.S. Patents Granted in 2016; Employees Set New Record for Annual Number of Inventions
December 09 2016 - 12:01AM
Business Wire
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
granted Ford approximately 1,500 U.S. patents to Ford employees so
far this year – more than any other automaker, according to agency
data. The number of U.S. patents awarded to Ford employees
represents a 25 percent increase versus 2015; total Ford patents
globally reach 3,200 this year
- Ford employees are driving innovation
in every part of the business globally at record pace; more than
8,000 new inventions have been submitted by employees in 2016 – a
40 percent increase over last year and a more than 90 percent jump
versus 2014
- Through early December, more than 5,500
Ford employees have submitted invention disclosures, with more than
2,200 of them first-time inventors; since the beginning of 2015,
more than 4,000 first-time inventors have submitted ideas
Ford employees are driving innovation throughout the business at
record pace, netting approximately 1,500 U.S. patents so far this
year – the most of any automaker and a 25 percent increase versus
2015.
Ford employees have submitted the most patent applications in
the company’s 113-year history this year – in both the United
States and globally. Worldwide, Ford employees submitted 8,000 new
inventions in 2016 – a 40 percent increase over 2015, and a 90
percent jump over 2014.
“We are living the innovation mindset in all parts of our
business across the globe,” said Raj Nair, executive vice
president, product development, and chief technical officer. “Our
employees are delivering exciting new technologies for our
customers at record levels. As an auto and mobility company, this
is an exciting time, and our employees are aggressively advancing
emerging technologies and increasing our mobility patents at record
levels.”
Ford has been granted 1,700 additional patents in other
countries – bringing the total to more than 3,200 patents worldwide
this year.
Among these is an invention for equipping autonomous vehicles
with drones.
The system deploys a drone from an autonomous vehicle to map the
surrounding area beyond what vehicle sensors can detect. Vehicle
passengers control the drone using the car’s infotainment or
navigation system.
“At Ford we are fully engaged in the current climate where
inventions and out-side-the-box thinking are being produced
rapidly,” said Tony Lockwood, Ford manager, virtual driver system,
autonomous vehicle development, who was granted a patent for the
idea along with fellow Ford employee Joe Stanek. “Ultimately,
customers benefit as we open ourselves to new ideas and advance
mobility using emerging technologies.”
Ford eChair is another innovation that could make life easier
for wheelchair users.
Developed by Gunther Cuypers, Robin Celis, and David Longin –
engineers at Ford’s Lommel proving grounds in Belgium – eChair is a
lightweight electric wheelchair that self-loads into a car.
Earlier this year, Ford introduced Carr-E, a multipurpose,
electric personal transportation device developed by Germany-based
Ford systems engineer Killian Vas. In addition to carrying riders,
Carr-E can transport packages and heavy objects.
On-the-Go H2O, developed by Ford engineers Doug Martin and John
Rollinger works to collect vehicle condensation. The system then
filters the fluid and pumps it into a faucet located inside the car
to provide drinking water.
Through early December, more than 5,500 Ford employees have
submitted invention disclosures with more than 2,200 of them
first-time inventors. Since the beginning of 2015, more than 4,000
first-time inventors have submitted applications.
As a springboard to even greater innovation, Ford worked with
TechShop to open TechShop Detroit – a 33,000-square-foot workshop
in Allen Park, Michigan. Backyard tinkerers and engineers alike can
develop ideas and build prototypes using the facility’s tools,
equipment and computers loaded with design software.
Ford recently launched maker space in Nanjing, China. The
workshop gives employees a space to collaborate and brainstorm
ideas, develop prototypes using 3D printers, 3D scanners,
plastic-forming machines, electronics, app development software and
more.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62
plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars,
trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its
business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging
opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and
mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its
products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanyAlan Hall, 734-845-4410ahall32@ford.comKarl
Henkel, 313-402-2310Khenkel1@ford.com
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