Research and innovation in robotics in the mining industry operations and technologies sector has declined in the last year.
The most recent figures show that the number of robotics-related patent applications in the industry stood at 13 in the three months ending February – down from 18 over the same period in 2021.
Figures for patent grants related to robotics followed a similar pattern to filings – shrinking from 11 in the three months ending February 2021 to six 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.
Robotics 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 robotics innovator in the mining industry operations and technologies sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the US, filed three robotics related patents in the three months ending February. That was down from six over the same period in 2021.
It was followed by the China-based Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd with two robotics patent applications, Japan-based Komatsu Ltd (2 applications), and Australia-based Orica Ltd (2 applications).
