Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), the automotive and farm equipment flagship of the Mahindra Group, has received a record 674 patents in FY24, which it claims is the most that any Indian 4-wheeler automobile/farm equipment manufacturer has received.
This is a 380% increase in the number of patents issued to M&M over FY23, the press release noted.
So far, it has been conferred 1185 patents across multiple geographies, and currently has 193 applications awaiting patent approval, as of 31st March 2024. Cumulatively, the company has filed 2212 patent applications to date.
The patent portfolio also includes fillings of M&M's subsidiary, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd. In addition to the patents, it also has 115 designs registered and 178 new applications filed.
Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO [Auto & Farm Sectors], Mahindra & Mahindra said: “We are constantly working to push the frontiers of what is possible in the automobile and farm equipment segments. We understand the importance of being future-ready; therefore, we have made significant R&D investments to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and talent.”
M&M’s patent portfolio covers a range of critical functions, such as powertrain (ICE & EV), vehicle mechanical systems, electronics, manufacturing processes, electric tractors, and advanced engineering, among others.
The investment has been in the areas related to innovation, customer experience, and safety. This includes active safety systems, advanced driver assistance systems, advanced automotive electronics, lightweight technologies, enhanced vehicle dynamics, connected vehicle technologies, high-precision hydraulics, smart combine harvesters, smart connected implements, and hill farming, among others.