Webasto has been granted a patent for a roof module for motor vehicles that includes sensors for autonomous driving, sound generation, and sound recording capabilities. The module is designed to enhance safety by providing audible signals to other road users and detecting traffic situations based on noise behavior. GlobalData’s report on Webasto gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Webasto, Hydrogen fuel cells was a key innovation area identified from patents. Webasto's grant share as of February 2024 was 64%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Roof module for autonomous driving with sound generation and recording
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11922920B2) discloses a roof module for motor vehicles designed to be placed on vehicle roof side beams, forming part of the vehicle body shell. The roof module includes a roof skin with a smooth continuous surface and a roof substructure, along with features for autonomous or semi-autonomous driving. These features include at least one sensor module with environmental sensors, means for generating sound, and means for recording sound, all covered by the roof skin. The sound generation system is configured to provide audible signals to other road users, such as speech, standard driving sounds, motor sounds, and warning signals. The recording system is designed to detect traffic situations in collaboration with the autonomous driving controller and other vehicles based on their noise behavior.
Furthermore, the roof module incorporates a vibration generator as part of the sound generation system, which is coupled with the roof skin to produce audible vibrations outside the vehicle. This innovative technology aims to enhance communication with other road users and improve safety by detecting and responding to various traffic scenarios. The patent also covers the integration of acoustic insulation between the roof skin and a roof headliner to minimize sound transmission into the vehicle interior. The patent includes claims for different configurations of the roof module, including variations in the sound generation system and the use of vibration generators bonded under the roof skin, highlighting the versatility and adaptability of this technology for different vehicle types and applications.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
