Honda, Nissan Hit With Vehicle Sensor Patent Infringement Suits

Two major automakers are facing patent infringement suits alleging that they ripped off sensor technology that underlies safety systems like blind-spot detection, automatic emergency braking and steering, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure assistance.

AutoBrilliance LLC sued Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. in the federal Eastern District of Texas on Wednesday, alleging that they infringe its US Patent No. 7,337,650—which covers a way to align sensors on a vehicle—through several models offered by each company. They include Honda’s CR-V and Accord and Nissan’s Pathfinder and Altima.

Honda and Nissan “vehicles equipped with multiple sensors which establish a vehicle ...