The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and productivity , 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 Robotics in construction: self-cleaning toilets. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
80+ innovations will shape the construction industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the construction industry using innovation intensity models built on over 240,000 patents, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, autonomous worksite machines, robotic sprayers, and self-cleaning toilets are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Robotic excavators, smart toilet, and adaptive road milling rollers are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily.
Innovation S-curve for robotics in the construction industry
Self-cleaning toilets is a key innovation area in robotics
Self-cleaning toilets are toilets that have been designed with features and technologies to efficiently clean themselves after each use without the need for manual cleaning. They have features such as automated cleaning systems, siphonic flush toilet systems, and jet holes strategically positioned for effective waste evacuation.
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 150+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of self-cleaning toilets.
Key players in self-cleaning toilets – 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 self-cleaning toilets
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Toto | 180 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kohler | 79 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Guangdong Dongpeng | 50 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Raytheon Technologies | 37 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LIXIL | 33 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Duravit | 28 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Huida Sanitary Ware | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiamen R&T Plumbing Technology | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Allegion | 22 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiamen Kemu Intelligent Technology | 22 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Marriott International | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Masco | 20 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiamen Dabai Technology | 19 | Unlock Company Profile |
| JOMOO Kitchen & Bath | 18 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Jomoo Kitchen & Bath Appliances | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Grifols | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Guangdong Hegii Sanitary Wares | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sacmi Imola S.C. | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Panasonic | 12 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Takayoshi | 11 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Chongqing Concast Sanitary Ware | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shanghai Kohler Electronics | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Bolina | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shenzhen Bodian Electronics Technology | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SJM | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zhejiang Ikahe Sanitary Ware | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Airbus | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sichuan Aimbon Mold | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Villeroy & Boch | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Jiangmen Idear-Hanyu Electrical Joint-Stock | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction Decoration | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Rifeng Enterprise Group | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dometic Group | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Miura | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Rifeng Technology | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiamen Zhijie Intelligent Technology | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zhejiang Yasha Decoration | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kohler India | 4 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Foshan Rifeng Enterprise | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hefei Royalstar Sanyo Electric Appliance | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hall Labs | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Wisa Beheer | 3 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Liuzhou Jingyang Energy-Saving Technology Research Development | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zhejiang Oulin Life Health Technology | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nanan Lidi Home Supplies | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| First Peoples Hospital Nantong | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Henan Inst Engineering | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Runner Xiamen | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shanghai Vacdrain Vacuum Drainage Equipment | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Helvex | 2 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Toto, a company based in Japan, is the leading patent filer in the self-cleaning toilet space. Among its leading products is the NEOREST AC 2.0 WASHLET, which is the first product that cleans itself completely. According to the company, in addition to the proven WASHLET technologies, the new NEOREST WASHLET actively cleans the inside of the toilet bowl. Kohler is another key player, and its ContinuousClean toilets feature Revolution 360® flushing technology powered by an AquaPiston® flush engine.
In terms of application diversity, Panasonic leads the pack, while Jiangmen Idear-Hanyu Electrical and Rifeng Technology stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Takayoshi held the top position, followed by Helvex and Panasonic.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Robotics 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.
