Conducted by the EPO in co-operation with Handelsblatt Research Institute, the study examines this profound technology trend that is now being observed across a whole range of technical fields.

Using state-of-the-art patent information tools and drawing on the expertise of its patent examiners, the EPO identified over 48 000 patent applications filed until the end of 2016 and relating to three relevant technology sectors of 4IR: firstly the core technologies in the ICT field that make it possible to create connected objects; secondly, the enabling technologies that complement core technologies, such as Artificial in