Over nearly a decade, from 2012 to 2021, LG Electronics emerged as the global leader in the number of applications for AI robotics patents.
In the field of AI robotics patent applications, LG Electronics ranked first, surpassing other companies from both China and the United States. According to a report from the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the number of AI robotics patent applications grew from just 20 in 2012 to 1,260 in 2021, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 58.5 percent, and a total of 5,525 applications over the period.
During the period, LG Electronics was the top applicant, submitting 1,038 patent applications, which accounted for 18.8 percent of the world total. Japan’s FANUC followed with 97 applications (1.8 percent), while China’s South China Normal University was third with 83 applications (1.5 percent). Among other Korean applicants, Samsung Electronics was eighth in the number of applications, at 41 (0.7 percent).
By country, China led IAI robotics patent applications with 60 percent, totaling 3,313 patents. South Korea followed with 24.7 percent (1,367 applications), and the United States accounted for 8.1 percent (446 applications).
