Patents Filed by Uber

Uber is one of the most innovative and disruptive companies in the world, offering various services such as ride-hailing, food delivery, freight transportation, and more. But how does Uber protect its core technology and business model from competitors and imitators? One way is by filing and obtaining patents on its inventions and innovations.

According to a report by HowManyPatents.com, Uber Technologies has 1,344 patents as of December 2021. These patents cover various aspects of Uber’s technology, such as:

• LiDAR systems – Uber has 217 patents on LiDAR systems, which are used for sensing the environment and detecting obstacles in autonomous driving. 55 of these patents are focused on anti-collision applications, and 31 are on mapping and imaging.
• Radar systems – Uber has 87 patents on radar systems, which are also used for autonomous driving and obstacle detection. Some of these patents relate to adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and blind spot detection.
• Sonar systems – Uber has 5 patents on sonar systems, which are used for underwater sensing and navigation. These patents may be related to Uber’s exploration of aquatic transportation options, such as flying water taxis.
• Transportation services – Uber has many patents on its core service of arranging transport for users based on their location, destination, preferences, and availability of drivers. Some of these patents relate to illegal stopping zone avoidance, dynamic pricing, driver incentives, user feedback, and ride-sharing.

Uber’s Challenges Related to Patents

Uber’s patent portfolio shows that the company is constantly innovating and developing new technologies and features to improve its services and stay ahead of the competition. However, not all of Uber’s patents were originally filed by the company itself. Uber has also acquired patents from other companies, such as deCarta, LLC, a mapping platform provider, and Microsoft Corp., a software giant. These acquisitions have helped Uber expand its patent portfolio and gain access to valuable technologies and expertise.

Uber’s patent strategy is not without challenges and controversies. The company has faced several patent lawsuits from competitors and other entities, such as Waymo, a self-driving car company owned by Google’s parent Alphabet Inc., Ola, an Indian ride-hailing company, and Hailo Technologies LLC, a taxi-hailing app developer. These lawsuits have alleged that Uber has infringed on their patents or trade secrets related to autonomous driving, ride-hailing, and surge pricing. Some of these lawsuits have been settled out of court, while others are still ongoing.

.Notable Patents Filed by Uber

Illegal Stopping Zone Avoidance System

This patent (number: 11912296) is for systems and methods that help drivers avoid illegal stopping zones. The system identifies a driver’s destination and monitors the driver’s device to infer if the driver is planning to stop in an illegal zone. If so, the system sends a notification to the driver’s device indicating the illegal stopping zone and may also suggest an alternative stopping location. This patent was filed on March 7, 2022, and granted on February 27, 2024.

Generating Training Datasets for Training Neural Networks

This patent (number: 11907675) is for a generative cooperative network (GCN) that includes a dataset generator model and a learner model. The dataset generator model generates training datasets used to train the learner model. The trained learner model is evaluated according to a reference training dataset, and the dataset generator model is modified based on this evaluation. This patent was filed on January 17, 2020, and granted on February 20, 2024.

Arranging Transport Services Based on Estimated Time of Arrival Information

This patent (number: 11908034) is for a computer system that receives requests for transport from users while they ride a transit vehicle. The system determines the rate of travel of the transit vehicle and estimates the user’s time of arrival at the start location. Based on this, the system selects a vehicle to service the request when the vehicle’s estimated time of arrival is within a threshold amount of time of the user’s estimated time of arrival1.

Conclusion

Uber’s patent portfolio is a valuable asset that reflects its innovation and vision. By filing and obtaining patents on its technologies and services, Uber can protect its market position, deter competitors, attract investors, and enhance its reputation. However, Uber also needs to be careful about avoiding patent infringement and litigation, which can be costly and damaging to its business.