Research and innovation in machine learning in the mining industry operations and technologies sector is on the rise.
The most recent figures show that the number of related patent applications in the industry stood at 42 in the three months ending June – up from 36 over the same period in 2021.
Figures for patent grants related to followed a different pattern to filings – stagnating from 10 in the three months ending June 2021 to 10 in the same period in 2022.
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.
Machine learning 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.
Caterpillar was the top innovator in the mining industry operations and technologies sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the US, filed 22 related patents in the three months ending June. That was up from 12 over the same period in 2021.
It was followed by the US-based Honeywell International with 17 patent applications, Japan-based Komatsu (1 applications), and Taiwan-based China Steel (1 applications).
Caterpillar has recently ramped up R&D in . It saw growth of 45.5% in related patent applications in the three months ending June compared to the same period in 2021 – the highest percentage growth out of all companies tracked with more than 10 quarterly patents in the mining industry operations and technologies sector.
