Autonomous Driving Patent Landscape 2026
The autonomous driving patent field is highly concentrated, with Baidu entities commanding a dominant share and the United States serving as the primary filing jurisdiction. Annual volume peaked in 2018 and has eased from that high, signalling a maturing competitive environment where incumbents consolidate rather than expand coverage.
Baidu leads a concentrated field; GM and Waymo trail at a distance
Baidu USA LLC stands as the clear leader with 495 patent families, more than three times the count of the next nearest rival, Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd at 144 patent families. GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Waymo LLC, and Motional AD LLC round out the top five.
The top five filers collectively hold 42% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, confirming a pronounced concentration at the apex with a meaningful gap before the challenger tier. The second tier — Yinwang Intelligent Technologies, NVIDIA, Intel, Toyota, and Aurora Operations — clusters between roughly 54 and 69 patent families, a noticeably narrower band.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baidu USA LLC | 495 | |
| 2 | Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd | 144 | |
| 3 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | 105 | |
| 4 | Waymo LLC | 97 | |
| 5 | Motional AD LLC | 69 | |
| 6 | Yinwang Intelligent Technologies Co Ltd | 69 | |
| 7 | NVIDIA Corporation | 62 | |
| 8 | Intel Corporation | 56 | |
| 9 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 55 | |
| 10 | Aurora Operations Inc | 54 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Ford Global Technologies LLC | 49 | |
| 12 | PlusAI Inc | 39 | |
| 13 | Beijing Voyager Technology Co Ltd | 36 | |
| 14 | Volkswagen Group of America Investments LLC | 36 | |
| 15 | Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | 32 | |
| 16 | CAVH LLC | 31 | |
| 17 | CreateAI Inc | 27 | |
| 18 | Apollo Intelligent Driving (Beijing) Technology Co Ltd | 25 | |
| 19 | Y E Hub Armenia LLC | 24 | |
| 20 | Kubota Corporation | 22 |
Baidu’s scale, spread across both its US and Beijing entities with substantial co-filing activity between them, gives it structural depth that challengers would need years of sustained filing to replicate. For new entrants, this concentration points toward niche differentiation rather than broad coverage as a viable entry strategy.
The most recent 18–24 months of data are subject to publication lag and will undercount actual activity; 2024 and 2025 figures should be treated as provisional. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Filing volume eased from its 2018 peak; vehicle control and AI dominate the technology mix
Two charts capture the temporal and technical structure of the field: annual filing counts from 2017 onward, and the distribution of patents across IPC technology classes.
Annual filing trend
Filings peaked in 2018 and have trended lower since, with a multi-year window still positive relative to the earliest years in scope. The apparent sharp drop in 2024–2026 reflects publication lag and should not be read as a real acceleration of decline; 2023 already shows a meaningful reduction from the 2022 level on a largely published basis.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
B60W (hybrid/joint vehicle control) and G05D (control of non-electric variables) together account for the two largest branches by a wide margin, reflecting that core motion planning and vehicle control logic dominates autonomous driving patent activity. Secondary clusters in G01C (navigation and gyroscopes), G06N (AI models), G08G (traffic control), and G06V (image/video recognition) highlight perception and decision-layer investment. Smaller branches — wireless communications, digital data processing, and radar/positioning — fill out the stack but remain substantially thinner.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Methods and systems for trajectory prediction
Computerized systems and methods for training a trajectory prediction model for autonomous driving vehicles. The systems and methods receive agent dynamics data, high-dimensional (HD) map data; a training data set; and a plurality of meta paths through the HIN representing lane transitions, each meta path comprising a sequence of lane nodes and edges. Scene… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Systems and methods for safe and reliable autonomo… | 1,029 |
| 2 | Unified motion planning algorithm for autonomous d… | 360 |
| 3 | Automatic driving route planning application | 350 |
| 4 | Apparatus and method for cooperative autonomous dr… | 290 |
| 5 | Controlling an Autonomous Vehicle Using Cost Maps | 278 |
| 6 | Autonomous driving apparatus and method for vehicle | 268 |
| 7 | Path detection for autonomous machines using deep … | 265 |
| 8 | Autonomous driving merge management system | 263 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the patent structure means for autonomous driving R&D strategy
The combination of high concentration, a past-peak filing curve, and a dominant vehicle-control technology core creates specific implications for R&D prioritization and competitive positioning.
Field is past its 2018 peak and entering a consolidation phase
Annual filing volume peaked in 2018 and has eased back since, consistent with a field moving from rapid expansion into consolidation. Core motion-planning and vehicle-control IP is already densely covered. R&D investment should target differentiation in adjacent or thinner branches rather than re-plowing ground already heavily staked by the leading filers.
Lifecycle: Declining from peakBaidu’s scale creates a structural moat; tier-two is closely bunched
The top five filers hold 42% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, with Baidu USA LLC alone at 495 patent families — more than three times the next entity. The challenger tier (54–105 patent families) is tightly clustered, meaning incremental gains in filing volume could shift relative rank. New entrants face a high bar in core vehicle-control IP but have more room in perception, AI inference, and connectivity branches.
High concentrationBaidu-internal co-filing dominates; GM–Carnegie Mellon is the leading cross-sector pair
The most active co-filing pair is Baidu USA LLC and Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd with 124 jointly filed families — an intra-group coordination play rather than an external alliance. The most significant external collaboration is GM Global Technology Operations LLC with Carnegie Mellon University at 5 co-filed families, followed by Intel with Mobileye Vision Technologies at 2. Huawei Technologies co-filed once with McGill University. The overall ecosystem is sparse in genuine cross-sector alliances, which may represent an opening for university–industry partnership strategies.
Sparse external alliancesUS-centric filing with limited Asia-Pacific depth outside China
The United States is the dominant filing jurisdiction at 1,495 patent records, followed by Europe (EPO) at 484 and WIPO (PCT) at 178. China shows 88 records despite several of the top applicants being Chinese-origin entities, suggesting those players prioritize US and European protection. India at 73 records is notably active relative to other non-primary markets. Japan and South Korea are thin, pointing to gaps in Asia-Pacific coverage that competitors could exploit or monitor.
US-dominantGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| Baidu USA LLC | Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd | 124 |
| GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Carnegie Mellon University | 5 |
| Baidu USA LLC | Apollo Intelligent Driving (Beijing) Technology Co Ltd | 2 |
| Intel Corporation | Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd | 2 |
| Baidu USA LLC | Beijing Baidu Netcom Science and Technology Co Ltd | 1 |
| GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Rutgers University | 1 |
| Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | McGill University | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Baidu leads on vehicle control; Yinwang (CreateAI) is the fastest-rising challenger
The top two players differ sharply in trajectory: Baidu’s recent filing rate has contracted significantly from its historical pace, while Yinwang Intelligent Technologies has sharply accelerated, making it the standout momentum story in the current field.
Baidu USA LLC
Baidu USA LLC holds 495 patent families, the largest portfolio in scope by a substantial margin. Its technology emphasis is concentrated in G05D (control of non-electric variables) and B60W (hybrid/joint vehicle control), reflecting deep motion-planning coverage. Recent filing momentum is sharply lower at –89% versus the prior period, indicating the portfolio is maturing rather than expanding. A coordinated intra-group filing strategy with Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd (144 patent families, 124 co-filed families) amplifies effective coverage.
495 patent familiesYinwang Intelligent Technologies Co Ltd
Yinwang Intelligent Technologies (also known as CreateAI) holds 69 patent families and is the clear momentum leader in the challenger tier, with recent filings up +159% versus the prior period. Its technology emphasis skews toward B60W60 (vehicle control) and B60W50, with a lighter footprint in G05D relative to the leaders. This acceleration from a smaller base warrants close monitoring; if sustained, it could rapidly close the gap with mid-tier incumbents.
69 patent families| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Baidu USA LLC | 26 | ▼ -89% |
| GM Global Technology Operations LLC | 22 | ▬ +5% |
| Waymo LLC | 21 | ▼ -46% |
| Yinwang Intelligent Technologies Co Ltd | 57 | ▲ +159% |
| Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | 30 | ▼ -32% |
| Motional AD LLC | 20 | ▼ -56% |
| NVIDIA Corporation | 20 | ▼ -29% |
| Intel Corporation | 4 | ▼ -87% |
Under-served branches in navigation, AI models, and traffic systems
Several IPC branches adjacent to the dominant vehicle-control core show materially lower filing density relative to their technical relevance, representing areas where the patent landscape is less crowded.
G06N · Computing based on AI models
With 329 patent records and a 5% share of the technology mix, AI model computing sits well below the dominant B60W and G05D branches despite being foundational to autonomous decision-making. As inference efficiency, on-device learning, and foundation models become central to AV software stacks, this branch’s relative sparsity suggests that targeted filings in AI model architectures applied to autonomous driving could secure defensible positions ahead of anticipated crowding. Entrants with AI-native backgrounds — chip companies, AI labs — are best placed to pursue this route.
Search this in Eureka →G08G · Traffic control systems
Traffic control systems (G08G) also registers 329 patent records at a 5% share, an observation of relative under-coverage in vehicle-to-infrastructure and cooperative driving contexts. As connected and cooperative autonomous vehicle deployments scale, IP covering traffic signal interaction, cooperative merge management, and infrastructure-side intelligence could become strategically valuable. The thin current density means a focused filing campaign could establish meaningful early positions, particularly for infrastructure operators, smart-city technology providers, or OEMs with fleet deployment experience.
Search this in Eureka →How leading filers differ by technology route emphasis
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | G05D 1 · Control of non-electric variables | B60W 60 · Hybrid/joint vehicle control | B60W 30 · Hybrid/joint vehicle control | B60W 50 · Hybrid/joint vehicle control | B60W 40 · Hybrid/joint vehicle control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baidu USA LLC | Strong · 361 | Moderate · 115 | Strong · 190 | Moderate · 73 | Emerging · 72 |
| Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd | Strong · 76 | Moderate · 38 | Strong · 43 | Absent | Moderate · 24 |
| Waymo LLC | Strong · 67 | Strong · 40 | Strong · 38 | Absent | Moderate · 23 |
| GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Strong · 54 | Moderate · 27 | Strong · 43 | Moderate · 25 | Moderate · 15 |
| Motional AD LLC | Absent | Strong · 48 | Strong · 29 | Moderate · 21 | Moderate · 15 |
| Yinwang Intelligent Technologies Co Ltd | Absent | Strong · 74 | Absent | Moderate · 33 | Absent |
| Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | Strong · 34 | Strong · 30 | Strong · 30 | Moderate · 12 | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
Baidu USA LLC leads with 495 patent families, followed by Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd at 144 patent families. Both entities operate within the Baidu group and have 124 co-filed families, making the combined Baidu footprint substantially larger than any single competitor.
The United States is the dominant filing jurisdiction with 1,495 patent records, followed by Europe (EPO) at 484 and WIPO (PCT) at 178. China registers 88 records despite several top applicants being Chinese-origin entities, suggesting a deliberate focus on US and European protection strategies.
The field is in a declining phase relative to its 2018 peak. Annual filing volume has eased from that high point, consistent with a maturing field where core IP positions are being consolidated rather than rapidly expanded. The most recent 18–24 months are subject to publication lag, so very recent data should be treated as provisional.
Yinwang Intelligent Technologies Co Ltd shows the strongest recent momentum, with filings up +159% versus the prior period, reaching 20 recent filings from a smaller base. GM Global Technology Operations LLC is broadly stable at +5%. Most other leading filers show declining recent activity, including Baidu USA LLC at -89% and Waymo LLC at -46%.
B60W (hybrid/joint vehicle control) and G05D (control of non-electric variables) are the two largest branches by a wide margin, reflecting the centrality of motion planning and vehicle control logic. Secondary branches include G01C (navigation and gyroscopes), G06N (AI models), G08G (traffic control systems), and G06V (image/video recognition).
External collaboration is sparse. The most active co-filing pair is intra-group: Baidu USA LLC and Baidu Com Times Tech (Beijing) Co Ltd with 124 jointly filed families. The leading cross-sector pair is GM Global Technology Operations LLC with Carnegie Mellon University at 5 co-filed families, followed by Intel with Mobileye Vision Technologies at 2, and Huawei Technologies with McGill University at 1.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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