An IP View into Ford Automotive AI
Ford has been very technologically active for over a decade. In fact, an article from last fall at InvestorPlace goes so far at to present Ford as a "Tech Company that Makes Automobiles." It should come as no surprise that Ford has been quite active in AI technology development.
Ford ranks in the top 25 companies globally with patent holdings in the AI technology space. Compared to other automakers, Ford is in the top tier with patent holdings between those of Honda and Toyota.
For more info on AI IP in the auto industry generally, check out my earlier article, "Quick IP Data Insight: Tesla and the Automaker AI Landscape"
Of course, given the diverse applications to which AI can be applied, it is interesting to see where Ford is focusing their R&D. Forbes recently published an article, "The Amazing Ways The Ford Motor Company Uses Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning", outlining the various ways that Ford leverages AI and ML in its business. The four key areas explored by the article are:
Manufacturing
Smart Cars, Sensor Data Collection & Processing
Racing & Performance
Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Looking into the patent portfolio held by Ford in the AI space, we see a distribution focusing on the following areas:
Internal Combustion Engine Control
Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Control Systems
Data Recognition
Computer Vision
Clean-Tech & Exhaust Silencing
Computational Models & Digital Data Processing
Regulating Real-World Inputs (Sensor Data)
Navigation
Gearing/Transmission Control
Speech Analysis
Many of these categories apply to smart car, performance and self-driving technologies. Manufacturing-specific applications of AI technology are not as prevalent in the portfolio. This, of course, may be a purposeful strategy, keeping manufacturing innovations as trade secret due to the difficulty of detecting infringement and the risks associated with publishing such advancements.
Ford's AI development strategies are not all organically driven. In today's rapidly advancing ecosystem, much can be gained through partnerships, acquisitions and investments. In fact, I see collaborative opportunities at the heart of our current AI ecosystem. Companies that can embrace collaboration to advance the state of the technology, combining strengths and resources will push the technology further than those who operate with a more closed door mentality.
In addition to its market leading in-house technology development, Ford has been very active in collaborating.
This past fall (2018), Ford began a joint project with Baidu in China. The focus is around autonomous vehicle technology. Baidu is a leader in China in AI technology and has been developing their Apollo Virtual Driver System (VDS) for a few years now.
Zhenyu Li, Vice President and General Manager of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group:
"This project will combine our leading-edge technological know-how and understanding of China together with Ford’s vehicle expertise, marking a significant step forward towards Baidu’s goal of developing autonomous driving vehicles that will greatly benefit future consumers.”
On the processing side of AI development, Ford has also begun working with NASA’s Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (QuAIL) to further autonomous vehicles research and machine learning optimization.
Ford and Volkswagen have recently announced a collaboration around autonomous vehicle technology and implementation. This alliance combines the technology and IP from two automakers who each have been active in the AI space. Although Ford's IP holdings are significantly higher, VW will be bringing additional capital to the table with a $1.7 billion dollar investment into Argo AI. In 2017, Ford took a controlling stake in Pittsburgh based Argo AI - a startup focused on self-driving technology. Ford and VW will be collaborating through the Argo AI venture.
Argo AI itself has a modest patent portfolio of a few dozen patents. Interestingly most are focused on solid-state sensors (photodiodes). The portfolio, unfortunately is very US-centric. With the $1 billion that Ford is investing, plus the $1.7 billion VW is allocating, there should be budget available to expand international protection for this technology. For a company that will have a $4 billion dollar valuation, I would expect to see a more robust IP strategy in the works.
The takeaway from this insight should be that Ford is not only active, but heavily committed to the future of AI in automotive technology. Ford is leveraging substantial in-house R&D supported by a top tier patent portfolio, as well as outside collaboration opportunities to further accelerate growth. The strategy looks very well rounded in my eyes.