This study investigates trends in autonomous vehicle technology by employing hierarchical clustering based on BERTopic. The study analyzes a total of 9,164 patents registered and expired between 1990 and 2024. The analysis identifies key topics and technological components, including sub-technologies that pose challenges for classification within existing patent frameworks. Notably, the study finds a rapid increase in the use of thermal management and cooling system management technology, which is essential for high-performance vehicle design.

The findings indicate that the BERTopic approach is an effective methodology for patent classification, facilitating time and cost savings through automated text analysis. The study also offers insights into the detailed technologies relevant to the evolving patent classification system of the 4th Industrial Revolution. These insights offer valuable guidance for R&D strategy development, patent portfolio management, and strategic decision-making in the autonomous vehicle sector.