#2022-003 Automation and related technologies: A mapping of the new knowledge base
Enrico Santarelli, Jacopo Staccioli & Marco Vivarelli
Using the entire population of USPTO patent applications published
between 2002 and 2019, and leveraging on both patent classification and
semantic analysis, this paper aims to map the current knowledge base
centred on robotics and AI technologies. These technologies are
investigated both as a whole and distinguishing core and related
innovations, along a 4-level core-periphery architecture. Merging patent
applications with the Orbis IP firm-level database allows us to put
forward a twofold analysis based on industry of activity and geographic
location. In a nutshell, results show that: (i) rather than representing
a technological revolution, the new knowledge base is strictly linked to
the previous technological paradigm; (ii) the new knowledge base is
characterised by a considerable – but not impressively widespread –
degree of pervasiveness; (iii) robotics and AI are strictly related,
converging (particularly among the related technologies and in more
recent times) and jointly shaping a new knowledge base that should be
considered as a whole, rather than consisting of two separate GPTs; (iv)
the US technological leadership turns out to be confirmed (although
declining in relative terms in favour of Asian countries such as South
Korea, China and, more recently, India).
JEL classification: O33
Keywords: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, General Purpose Technology, Technological Paradigm, Industry