The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation, with activity driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and workplace safety, and the growing importance of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. In the last three years alone, there have been over 27,000 patents filed and granted in the construction industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in construction: regeneration control hydraulics. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
80+ innovations will shape the construction industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the construction industry using innovation intensity models built on over 240,000 patents, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage waterproof floor drains, adjustable width road pavers and construction 3D printing are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Floating breakwaters, self-healing concrete and building panel interlocking are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are pneumatic door closers and embossed floor panels, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the construction industry
Regeneration control hydraulics is a key innovation area in construction
Regeneration control hydraulics refer to the use of hydraulic systems in controlling machines and vehicles that utilize different types of equipment in various operating states. The system comprises pumps that deliver hydraulic oil to various components, including hydraulic actuators, which control the movement of the machine or vehicle. The system also includes components for detecting load pressure and controlling pump output based on the load detected.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 170 companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of regeneration control hydraulics.
Key players in regeneration control hydraulics – a disruptive innovation in the construction industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to regeneration control hydraulics
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Hitachi | 3560 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Caterpillar | 2239 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Komatsu | 2230 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sumitomo Heavy Industries | 1277 | Unlock Company Profile |
| AB Volvo | 904 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mitsui Chemicals | 764 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kobe Steel | 656 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Doosan Infracore | 553 | Unlock Company Profile |
| The Weir Group | 550 | Unlock Company Profile |
| KYB | 453 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kawasaki Heavy Industries | 394 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kubota | 370 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Metalogenia Research & Technologies | 197 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Robert Bosch Stiftung | 164 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CR | 140 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Deere | 129 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Combi Wear Parts | 120 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Yanmar (Tokyo Office) | 110 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | 96 | Unlock Company Profile |
| CNH Industrial | 90 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Doosan | 88 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Eaton | 88 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Black Cat Blades | 88 | Unlock Company Profile |
| YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY | 87 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Parker Hannifin | 78 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Liebherr-International | 78 | Unlock Company Profile |
| J C Bamford Excavators | 70 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sandvik | 59 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nabtesco | 54 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Danfoss | 42 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Ihc Holland Ie | 34 | Unlock Company Profile |
| HUSCO International | 34 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shandong Heavy Industry Group | 31 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dana | 30 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sany Group | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Linde Hydraulics | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Microsoft | 22 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SIMCO Mining Products and Services | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering | 18 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SSAB | 18 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Zeppelin-Stiftung | 18 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Trinity Industries | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| XCMG Construction Machinery | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| NOK | 17 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Harnischfeger Technologies | 16 | Unlock Company Profile |
| SungBo Industrial | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Takeuchi Mfg. | 15 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Bosch Rexroth | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Cutting Edges Equipment Parts | 14 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Atlaspco | 13 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
One of the leading patent filers in regeneration control hydraulics technologies is Volvo’s subsidiary Volvo Construction Equipment (CE), a manufacturer of construction equipment. One of the key innovations by Volvo CE is the development of a device for controlling a machine in various operating states by means of a switchable system of hydraulic components. Further Volvo CE innovations include a method and device for controlling a vehicle's hydraulic system by limiting its maximum power consumption and controlling the movement of a flow-regulating valve, and a hydraulic system for a machine that uses multiple pumps to control the load pressure at different points and control the pump output based on the load detected.
In terms of application diversity, Komatsu leads the pack, while Sumitomo Heavy Industries and AB Volvo stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Combi Wear Parts held the top position, followed by Mitsui Chemicals and SSAB.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Construction.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
