Assistive technology - 輔助性科技

 

Assistive technology has traditionally been considered external to the human body and non-invasive. The field is now converging with medical technologies. Several emerging assistive products include implants and other products that would qualify as medical devices, with many of those moving beyond assistance towards augmentation or recovery of missing human functions.

Our analysis reveals that all identified emerging assistive products use one or a combination of several enabling technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, brain computer/machine interface (BCI/BMI) and advanced sensors. 

These allow for smarter and connected assistive products which learn from the user’s behavior and environment, optimize and customize their functions and support independent living and navigation, telemedicine and smart nursing.

 Our findings show that patenting activity in the area of conventional technology is nearly

eight times bigger than that of emerging assistive technology, with 117,209 patent

filings compared to 15,592. However, filings in emerging technology are growing three times faster than conventional, with a 17% average annual growth rate (AAGR) compared to 6%.

 

In the emerging assistive technology space, the most active domain over the period is hearing, followed by mobility, vision and communication. However, since 2014 mobility has taken the lead among emerging assistive technology filings too. Indeed, the fastest-growing areas for patent filings relate to mobility and environment both in conventional (9% and 7% AAGR respectively in 2013-2017), and emerging assistive technology (24% and 42% AAGR respectively).

Patent protection for assistive technology is sought primarily in five 

markets: China, the U.S., Europe, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The previous dominance of the U.S. and Japan has declined in 

recent years as filings increase in China and the Republic of Korea. 

The widest patent protection being sought is for mobility

assistive technologies.

the geographical profile of top players in assistive technology

is also changing: traditional European, Japanese and U.S. players 

now face increasing competition from Chinese and Korean players

We find that big corporate players(Google, Panasonic, Honda) are leading the development of assistive technology (48% of conventional and 60% of emerging assistive technology), dominating in hearing and vision, and to some extent communication

The leading players are pursuing holistic strategies 整體性策略

to protect their innovations, using not only patents and utility models but also industrial designs to protect the ornamental aspects of assistive products.