There are many significant social and technological phenomena converging on the transportation industry which are permanently redefining it. Environmental awareness and concerns over climate change are driving new technologies in electric mobility. Shared digital platforms and improved data flows allowing for ride sharing and new forms of fleet management are changing consumer preferences for vehicle ownership. Defining the performance of the vehicles are new technologies in energy storage, sensors, cameras, communication protocols, GPS, radar, data processing (both locally in the vehicle and remotely in the cloud), machine learning, AI and materials to reduce weight and improve efficiency. Apart from these direct technologies are all of the ancillary services and infrastructure that are being developed to support this massive transformation. Expanding the impact of these changes is the recognition that they have applicability to mobility in significant areas beyond just automobiles and commercial road transportation. Aerospace and maritime industries stand to be wholly transformed as well.

A significant additional aspect of the IoV phenomenon is the massive amount of data which is and will increasingly be generated and used. Hundreds of aspects of each vehicle’s performance can be transmitted and stored to yield unprecedented volumes of data which can not only be used to enhance the driving experience, but which will be monetized and sold. Windshield wiper operation can be tracked and used to automatically order new wiper blades after a certain usage time has been reached. But when multiplied by millions of cars and coupled with GPS, that data can be used to record historical weather patterns. Chassis and suspension data can also be coupled to location and used to determine areas in need of infrastructure repair. The possibilities are endless – the magnitude of data generation and usage is likely not even completely understood at this time. What we do know, however, is that it raises ownership issues, privacy issues, cybersecurity issues, and ultimately new needs for IP protection and licensing schemes.

RP is particularly expert on these transformations because we have for decades been at the forefront of technological developments in engines, transmissions, electric vehicle charging systems, sensor systems, electrical systems, energy storage, data, digitization, power, chassis, electronic control systems and cybersecurity software. Our technical skill sets include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software, physics, commercial design, and materials science. This breadth of experience enables our team to understand sophisticated products and systems that merge together different technologies, especially as electrical and mechanical technologies become intertwined in autonomous vehicles.

With all these seemingly overwhelming changes occurring at ever-increasing speeds, one might wonder what consumer automobiles will look like in a few years. We at RP believe that one thing will remain the same – people’s desire to own beautiful cars. We have also been at the forefront of IP relating to the design and protection of the artistic features of exquisite automobiles.

That is why we have a dedicated team of experts committed to focusing on the future of transportation. From car makers, to engineering companies, to tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers. We know the industry. We know technology. We know design. And we know the law that protects all of it. Notably, our attorney force goes well beyond the norm, having on our team not only genuine automotive enthusiasts, but a former race car driver, pit crew member and auto mechanics.

We are a firm of the future working on the future of transportation. If you want a team of experts not only in the law and technology, but in your business, we are ready and able to add you to the list of companies moving us to the future.