Marks & Clerk has released its new XR Patent Trends Report 2026, providing insight into how innovation in the Extended Reality (XR) sector has evolved over the past four years.

Drawing on patent filing data from the European Patent Office and the international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, the report identifies a significant shift in XR innovation. While the rapid growth seen during the Metaverse boom has moderated, overall innovation activity remains historically strong, with increasing focus on practical, commercially deployable applications.

Key findings from the report include:

• XR innovation continues at high levels despite slower growth in patent filings.
• Start-ups, smaller businesses and universities are playing an increasingly important role in driving innovation.
• AI-enabled technologies such as eye tracking, object recognition and advanced human-computer interaction are among the fastest-growing areas of activity.
• Adoption of XR technologies is expanding across sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, automotive, aviation and entertainment.

The report suggests that the XR market is maturing beyond metaverse-focused concepts, with innovation increasingly directed towards solving real-world industrial and commercial challenges.

AMUK members interested in emerging technology trends, intellectual property strategy and the future development of immersive technologies can access the full report below:

🔗 Download the report: https://resources.marks-clerk.com/xr-report-2026

Thanks, Clarissa