Railway industry companies are increasingly innovating in internet of things

Aerial view of the Aldershot solar array. Credit Riding Sunbeams

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.

IoT is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.

FedEx was the top IoT innovator in the railway equipment supply, product, and services sector in the last quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the US, filed nine IoT related patents in the three months ending November. That was up from six over the same period last year.

It was followed by the UK-based National Express Group with six IoT patent applications, the US-based Royal Caribbean Cruises (six applications), and South Korea-based Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (six applications).