Ford receives record number of patents in 2015

Ford received a record number of new patents this year in what might be viewed as validation of the automaker’s efforts to rebadge itself as a mobility and tech company.

Ford underlined its commitment to these areas when it opened a research and innovation center in Silicon Valley in January, which quickly distinguished itself as having a substantially higher number of patents than other Ford facilities.

The center has contributed to an almost 100 percent increase in invention disclosure submissions in North America during the past three years, while Ford employees in Asia Pacific increased submissions more than 140 percent and Europe saw an increase of more than 50 percent.

Ford employees submitted nearly 6,000 new inventions for patents this year, 36 percent more than in 2014. They cover a broad spectrum including wearable devices, eBikes, navigation, ride-sharing platforms and other technologies.

Work on autonomous and connected vehicles aims to help vehicles detect other vehicles at obstructed intersections, suggest a safe speed, extend the range of electrified vehicles and alleviate range anxiety, and allow cyclists to report road obstacles to help other riders find the best route.

Inventing is an important part of Ford DNA. Henry Ford earned more than 150 patents for his inventions.