The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by ransomware, cloud security, convergence of security technology solutions, and growing importance of technologies such as identity management, secure access service edge (SASE), Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) and extended detection and response (XDR). In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.2 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Cybersecurity in Automotive: V2G networks.
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 619,000 patents to analyse innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 290+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
V2G networks is a key innovation area in cybersecurity
V2G means “vehicle to grid” and is a technology that permits energy to be pushed back to the power grid from the battery of an electric car.
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 120+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of V2G networks.
Key players in V2G networks – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to V2G networks
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Toyota is a key innovator in V2G networks. Toyota and Oncor Electric Delivery, a Texas-based electric transmission and distribution company, have announced a joint pilot project to conduct research on V2G technology. The initial phase will use Oncor’s Dallas research facility microgrid, which is composed of four interconnected microgrids that can be controlled independently or in parallel, in tandem or in combination. The microgrid and its subsystems include a V2G charger, solar panels and battery storage for testing and evaluation. A battery electric vehicle (BEV) will be used with the system to gain insight into the interconnectivity between BEVs and utilities. Honda, Gogoro, WiTricity, Panasonic and BYD are the other key players in V2G networks.
To further understand how cybersecurity is disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Cybersecurity in Automotive.