Toyota(TM) Prnewswire·2025-04-02 15:00Core Insights - Toyota has secured the highest number of patents among automotive companies for the 11th consecutive year, with a total of 2,428 U.S. patents in 2024, according to the Intellectual Property Owners Association report [1][3][7] - The patents cover a wide range of innovative areas, including cybersecurity, driver assist technology, electric and fuel cell vehicles, and V2V/V2X connectivity, reflecting Toyota's evolution into a mobility company [1][2][4] Patent Innovations - Toyota has developed a LiDAR reflective fabric that enhances obstacle detection for autonomous vehicles, addressing visibility issues with black-colored items [4] - A new method for electric vehicles (EVs) allows for bi-directional power transfer, optimizing energy charging and discharging based on real-time electricity pricing [4] - Innovations in cooperative maneuvering among connected vehicles aim to improve traffic efficiency through wireless communication and collaboration [4] - A modular fuel cell system architecture has been created to optimize power distribution, enhancing the efficiency and longevity of hydrogen fuel cell systems [4] Company Overview - Toyota has been a significant player in North America for nearly 70 years, employing around 64,000 people and manufacturing nearly 49 million vehicles across 14 plants [5][6] - The company is committed to advancing sustainable mobility, currently offering 31 electrified vehicle options and planning to manufacture automotive batteries in North Carolina starting in spring 2025 [6][7] - Toyota invests approximately $1 million per hour in R&D to continuously develop innovative and high-quality vehicles [7]