Imagine a world where medical tools are as precise as a surgeon’s hand, robots move like living beings, and touchscreens respond flawlessly. Welcome to the electrifying realm of electroactive actuators, where electrical energy transforms into mechanical motion.
Leading this charge are General Motors, Murata Manufacturing, and Konica Minolta. GM’s smart actuators enhance vehicle safety and performance, Murata’s piezoelectric actuators redefine touchscreens and haptic feedback, and Konica Minolta’s polymer actuators bring unmatched precision to imaging and medical devices.
The latest breakthroughs? Smarter, more efficient actuators seamlessly integrating with AI and IoT, making devices smaller, more powerful, and greener. The mission is clear: innovate, miniaturize, and integrate, all while championing sustainability.
This article delves into the patent landscape of the electroactive actuators industry, revealing the top companies, groundbreaking inventors, technology overview and research centers driving these advancements.
This analysis is based on published patent data from 2003-2016. Interested in the updated analysis?
What is the patent filing trend in the Electroactive Actuators Industry?
The chart below represents the patent filing trend within the electroactive actuators industry from the year 2003 to 2016.
The table below provides the number of applications filed and the number of patents granted from the year 2003 to 2016.
| Year | Applications Filed in Electroactive Actuators Industry | Patents Granted in Electroactive Actuators Industry |
| 2016 | 33 | 9 |
| 2015 | 235 | 40 |
| 2014 | 297 | 79 |
| 2013 | 302 | 112 |
| 2012 | 328 | 108 |
| 2011 | 268 | 113 |
| 2010 | 281 | 94 |
| 2009 | 274 | 125 |
| 2008 | 311 | 90 |
| 2007 | 237 | 77 |
| 2006 | 197 | 78 |
| 2005 | 192 | 66 |
| 2004 | 165 | 58 |
| 2003 | 115 | 16 |
Technology Overview of Electroactive Actuators Industry Patents
The technology analysis of patents related to electroactive actuators industry explores the diverse and evolving nature of innovations within the sector.
Evolution of Electroactive Actuators Industry: 2003 – 2016
The chart below showcases the technology through the years 2003 to 2016 for the electroactive actuators industry.
Key companies filing patents in Electroactive Actuators Industry
The chart below showcases the leading 15 companies actively involved in research and development in electroactive actuators industry.
The electroactive actuators industry is thriving with top companies from automotive, healthcare, electronics, and manufacturing, demonstrating its wide-reaching potential.
Surprisingly, Bayer, known for pharmaceuticals, is innovating with advanced medical devices using this technology for better drug delivery and health monitors. Boston Scientific is making strides with minimally invasive surgical tools and implants, while Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc enhances the precision of surgical instruments. This diversity underscores the powerful impact of electroactive actuators across various fields.
Technology Overview
This analysis provides an insight into areas of focus and innovations of companies thereby offering comprehensive snapshot of their contributions to the dynamic landscape of electroactive actuators sector.
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the leading 25 companies involved in the Electroactive actuators industry.
| Leading Companies | Patents |
| General Motors | 96 |
| Bayer Ag | 82 |
| Konica Minolta Inc | 75 |
| Samsung | 69 |
| Robert Bosch | 63 |
| Boston Scientific | 63 |
| Philips | 55 |
| Murata Manufacturing Co | 54 |
| Teijin Ltd | 33 |
| Sony | 32 |
| Mitsui Chemicals Inc | 31 |
| Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc | 28 |
| Parker Hannifin | 24 |
| Immersion Corporation | 24 |
| Seiko Corp | 23 |
| Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd | 22 |
| Fujifilm | 22 |
| Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 21 |
| NTN Corporation | 21 |
| Daikin Global | 18 |
| Sumitomo | 17 |
| Siemens Ag | 17 |
| Schaeffler Kg | 16 |
| Intel | 16 |
| Nokia Corp | 16 |
| LG | 16 |
Who are the leading innovators in Electroactive Actuators Industry?
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 15 inventors involved in innovations and technological advancements in the electroactive actuators industry.
| Inventor Name | Patents |
| Browne Alan L | 81 |
| Johnson Nancy L | 75 |
| Jenninger Werner | 37 |
| Wagner Joachim | 36 |
| Tanuki Yoshiro | 29 |
| Hitchcock Roger N | 27 |
| Weber Jan | 26 |
| Tanimoto Kazuhiro | 26 |
| Nishikubo Yuichi | 26 |
| Mankame Nilesh D | 25 |
| Biggs Silmon James | 24 |
| Yamamoto Tomoyoshi | 23 |
| Tajitsu Yoshiro | 23 |
| Ono Yuhei | 23 |
| Eidenschink Tracee | 21 |
Where are the Research Centers of Electroactive Actuators Industry patents located?
The chart below represents the major research and development centers contributing towards innovations and technological advancements in the electroactive actuators industry.
Leading companies in USA filing patents in Electroactive Actuators Industry
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 15 leading companies within United States of America involved in the electroactive actuators industry.
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents ranging from EAP Device Structure, Electric EAPs and Ionic EAPs offers a comprehensive overview of United States of America’s contributions towards the electroactive actuators sector.
Leading companies in Japan filing patents in Electroactive Actuators Industry
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 10 leading companies within Japan involved in the electroactive actuators industry.
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents ranging from Electric EAPs, Motion-Generating Mechanisms and Automobiles offers a comprehensive overview of Japan contributions towards the electroactive actuators sector.
Leading companies in Germany filing patents in Electroactive Actuators Industry
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 10 leading companies within Germany involved in the electroactive actuators industry.
Bionext SA, a top innovator in France’s electroactive actuators industry, uses advanced bioinformatics to enhance their electroactive actuators technologies. By optimizing microorganisms, they’re setting new standards and driving impactful, sustainable practices.
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents ranging from Sensors, Medical Industry and Curing, Doping of polymers (for conduction) offers a comprehensive overview of Germany’s contributions towards the electroactive actuators sector.
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