The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation, with activity being driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and workplace safety, and the 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 Innovation in construction: excavator auxiliary devices. 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, waterproof floor drains, adjustable width road pavers and construction 3D printing are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Floating breakwaters, self-healing concrete and building panel interlocking are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are pneumatic door closers and embossed floor panels, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the construction industry
Excavator auxiliary devices is a key innovation area in construction
Excavator auxiliary devices refer to equipment that can be attached to an excavator or other construction machines to enhance their functionality and increase their versatility. These devices are usually detachable and can be connected to the machine's boom or arm to facilitate various tasks such as digging, grading, demolition, lifting, and loading.
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 170+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of excavator auxiliary devices.
Key players in excavator auxiliary devices – 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 excavator auxiliary devices
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
One of the leading companies in the development of excavator auxiliary devices is Volvo’s subsidiary Volvo Construction Equipment (CE), a manufacturer and provider of construction equipment. Key Volvo CE innovations include the development of an adapter coupling structure for a bucket of a construction machine such as an excavator. The adapter and the bucket's attack plate are connected using an insert groove and a plate fixing part to improve their coupling strength and extend the device's lifespan. Further Volvo CE innovations include an automatic grading system for construction machines such as excavators. The system uses angle detection sensors to measure the angle of the boom and arm to achieve accurate grading and leveling of the site.
In terms of application diversity, Komatsu leads the pack, while Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Harnischfeger Technologies stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Built Robotics held the top position, followed by Mitsui Chemicals and Sandvik.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on 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.
