IoT innovation in ship industry has dropped in the last year

Research and innovation in internet of things (IoT) in the ship equipment supply, product, and services sector has declined in the last year.

The most recent figures show that the number of IoT patent applications in the industry stood at nine in the three months ending December – down from 18 over the same period in 2020.

Figures for patent grants related to IoT followed a different pattern to filings – growing from 11 in the three months ending December 2020 to 16 in 2021.

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.

IoT is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.

FedEx was the top IoT innovator in the ship equipment supply, product, and services sector in the last quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the US, filed nine IoT related patents in the three months ending December. That was up from six over the same period in 2020.

It was followed by the US-based United Parcel Service with nine IoT patent applications, the US-based Royal Caribbean Cruises (three applications), and the US-based Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (three applications).