Better late than never.
After watching fellow tech companies such as Google and Apple make headway into the car space, Samsung is making a push into the automotive industry itself.
Data gathered by Reuters shows that the tech corporation is rapidly increasing its research and development for auto technology with two-thirds of its combined 1,804 patent filings since 2010 dedicated toward electric vehicles and electric parts for cars. Reuters' analysis didn't include any Samsung filings made after 2013 until the present time.
In addition, this news doesn't provide a clear indication whether Samsung is developing its own autonomous car, the way Google is already testing and Apple is reportedly interested in doing.
However, by the way of Reuters unearthing Samsung's patent filings, it shows the kind of technologies that the company is interested in, ranging from a drowsy-driving detection system to an alert system for break-in attempts and a clear display for traffic and navigational information.
Reuters adds that Samsung has already been testing its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays with BMW and Continental.
Still, analysts believe it will be a challenge just for Samsung to establish itself as a major player, even if supplying car parts is its lone focus within the auto industry.
"Samsung needs a serious commitment to drive the synergies between all competent organizations within Samsung Group," IHS analyst Danny Kim told Reuters.
The upside of the challenge of course is the money, as ABI Research analyst Dominique Bonte explained to the news agency.
Bonte says the market for tech companies to build software, car parts and render services within the auto industry is estimated to be worth about $500 billion, further explaining: "There are two trends — the car becomes a connected software device, and the entire mobile and ICT (Information and communications technology) ecosystem is getting very interested in playing a part in that evolution."
