The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and workplace safety, and growing importance of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. In the last three years alone, there have been over 27,000 patents filed and granted in the construction industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Artificial intelligence in construction: autonomous road pavers. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 240,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the construction industry, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Autonomous road pavers is a key innovation area in artificial intelligence
Autonomous road pavers represent cutting-edge automated machinery employed for the formation and compaction of road pavement with limited need for manual interaction. These self-propelled units utilize state-of-the-art technologies, including sensors, GPS, lasers, and cameras, to autonomously control the accurate laying of pavement. While still in development, these machines and software have the potential to transform the road construction industry by enhancing safety, sustainability, and overall productivity.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 30 companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of autonomous road pavers.
Key players in autonomous road pavers – a disruptive innovation in the construction industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to autonomous road pavers
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Deere | 622 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Caterpillar | 298 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Astec Industries | 109 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Fayat | 91 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sumitomo Heavy Industries | 61 | Unlock Company Profile |
| AB Volvo | 54 | Unlock Company Profile |
| MOBA Mobile Automation | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ammann Schweiz | 13 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Terex | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Gencor Industries | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CHANGSHA ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY & SCIENCE | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dynapac (China) Compaction & Paving Equipment | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ABG Immobilien-Management Komm and itgesellschaft | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| GOMACO | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hexagon | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Power Construction Corporation of China | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| KIRCHNER | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sany Group | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| XCMG Construction Machinery | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Skanska | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hermann Kirchner Bauunternehmung | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Tianjin Kangyuan Engineering Machinery | 1 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Deere is one of the leading patent filers in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous road pavers. A global leader in agricultural and construction machinery, with more than 180 years of innovation, Deere has heavily invested in autonomous technology, emerging as a key player in developing autonomous road pavers. Additionally, the company recently acquired SparkAI, a New York-based startup specializing in human-in-the-loop technology to address real-time challenges for robots, further reinforcing Deere's commitment to advancements in autonomy. Some other key patent filers in this space include Caterpillar and Astec Industries.
In terms of application diversity, Deere is among the leading patent filers, closely followed by Astec Industries and Fayat.
By means of geographical reach, MOBA Mobile Automation is one of the key patent filers, with Deere and Astec Industries in close pursuit.
AI plays a crucial role in advancing autonomous road pavers by empowering these machines to perceive their surroundings, make informed decisions, and execute actions independently, eliminating the need for human intervention. The advent of autonomous road pavers signifies a transformative leap in the construction industry, showcasing the potential to significantly enhance productivity, improve safety standards, boost overall profitability, and contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals. As the industry embraces the integration of autonomy, the multifaceted benefits of these road pavers are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of construction methods.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Construction.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
