Global patents reflect advances in connected and self-driving cars

Global patents reflect advances in connected and self-driving cars

Technology advances in telematics and driver assistance systems are gathering steam as the enablers of future connected and self-driving cars, according to an analysis of global patent applications released Monday.

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor posted the biggest gains in the number of patent filings over the past five years, narrowing the gap with industry leader Toyota, Hyundai's patent filings more than doubled to 1,200 in 2013, from 500 in 2010, according to the report by Thomson Reuters IP & Science.