Inventing tomorrow

2025-01-30 | 6 mins. | 6 mins.

Meet Maliheh Sadgehi Kati and Ulrika Krave, who work with innovation and Intellectual Property (IP) at Volvo Group. Learn how Maliheh followed her passion for invention and how Ulrika's involvement with Diversity Pledge helps to increase diversity in the field of innovation.

Maliheh Sadeghi Kati, a Specialist Control System Engineer at Volvo Group Trucks Technology, is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a passion for engineering. Originally from Tehran, where she first studied electronics, Maliheh's journey to become a successful inventor in Sweden has been marked by both challenges and triumphs.

Maliheh moved to Sweden in 2007 to continue her studies at Chalmers University of Technology (completing her second BSc in Electrical Engineering in the Swedish language). Not satisfied with two degrees, Maliheh completed an MSc in Systems, Control, Mechatronics, shortly followed by a PhD in Mechatronics.

Distributed propulsion systems

“During my PhD, I focused on improving the lateral stability of longer and heavier commercial vehicles with steerable towed vehicle units to enhance vehicle stability and, consequently, traffic safety. During my post doctorate, I worked on distributed propulsion systems and centralized motion control for multi-unit vehicle combinations with distributed propulsion in different vehicle units,” says Maliheh. Something which she continues to work with today.

At Volvo Group Trucks Technology since December 2021, Maliheh's expertise lies in mechatronics, a field that integrates mechanical systems with electronics and software to create more efficient and functional products. Her work at Volvo Group Trucks Technology focuses on advanced engineering and standardization topics related to vehicle motion control, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring the safety and stability of heavy vehicle combinations. Despite facing some cultural and societal barriers, Maliheh's determination and talent have propelled her career forward. She has not only excelled in her field but has also made significant contributions to the development of new technologies. "It's about teamwork, dedication, curiosity, and finding something you love to do," Maliheh emphasizes.

Her advice to aspiring female inventors who are just starting out is to find people you can trust and collaborate with - those you feel comfortable working with - and don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. Stay updated in your field with the latest technology and developments, and never hesitate to ask questions, even if they seem simple. In her experience, many of her best ideas have come from brainstorming with trusted colleagues.

“The future is promising for female inventors, with more opportunities in tech and innovation. However, we need more mentorship programs designed for women, and environments where they feel confident to share and develop their ideas. I have been lucky and had the chance to be mentored by some of the best, and we should continue to support others in the same way. Ensuring fair and equal compensation is essential to keep talented women in the field, allowing them to advance their careers within the company without feeling pressured to leave hands-on roles they’re passionate about,” says Maliheh.

2024 Inventor Award recipients Umur Erdin, Leo Laine, Maliheh Sadeghi Kati, and Esteban Gelso

2024 Inventor Award

In 2024, Maliheh and her colleagues (Esteban Gelso, Umur Erdinc, Leo Laine) were presented with the Volvo Group Inventor Award for some of her more recent work. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role at Volvo Group Trucks Technology is working with students on their thesis work, according to Maliheh. “The teamwork and the energy I see makes this one of the most fun aspects of my job,” she says.

Maliheh's journey serves as an inspiration for women who aspire to careers in technology, engineering, and innovation. She encourages the parents of young girls and women to provide the support they need to follow their passions, even in the face of challenges.

"Just support them and encourage them," she advises parents. "If my son follows in my footsteps, I would be really happy, but whatever he chooses, I will, of course, support him," Maliheh states.

As she continues to innovate and break barriers (and as a contributor to around 33 patents), Maliheh is paving the way for future generations of female engineers. Her story is a reminder that with determination, talent, and the right support, women can achieve remarkable things in any field.

Would you like to connect with Maliheh? Visit her LinkedIn profile.

Innovation and the power of diversity

What do Intellectual Property (IP) rights have to do with Diversity? Ulrika Krave, an IP expert at Volvo, explains all.

Ulrika, who works closely with Maliheh, understands better than most how important diversity is in the field of innovation and invention; she spends a lot of time collaborating with inventors to secure the IP rights of their inventions.

“Diversity stimulates innovation. It's a scientific fact. By fostering a diverse workforce, organizations can tap into a wider range of perspectives and ideas, leading to more creative and effective solutions,” she says.

Ulrika Krave

Innovators from all sorts of backgrounds have shaped our world throughout the centuries. However, findings by the World Intellectual Property Organization and leading researchers show some groups remain severely under-represented in this field of endeavor. The available data suggests that the world has missed millions of inventors over the centuries due to gender disparities. One can only wonder what the world would look like today, had diversity been a foundational part of our approach to innovation. So how can this be addressed?

“Intellectual property plays a crucial role in driving innovation and protecting intellectual assets,” Ulrika explains. “But IP can also be used as a powerful tool to measure diversity within organizations. "By analyzing patent data, we can gain insights into who is innovating, and why," she noted.

Diversity Pledge

Ulrika is involved in the Diversity Pledge, a global, third-party initiative, aimed at increasing diversity in innovation. With over 40 large, multinational corporations as signees, including Blackrock, Dropbox, Meta, Microsoft, and P&G, they pledge to increase diversity in innovation in their own backyard. Statistics show that female engineers are underrepresented as inventors of patents around the world, including at Volvo Group. Through Diversity Pledge, Volvo Group has committed to take action to increase the number of female inventors within its engineering base.

Over a three-year period, Volvo Group has committed to track metrics related to female inventorship, take action to increase diversity, and report the metrics by end of year three to a neutral 3^rd party.

“We are at the end of year two of the Diversity Pledge, and can look back at some great achievements, highlighting a Master thesis carried out during spring 2024 with focus on uncovering root causes to why women are underrepresented and to look at how large companies (within the Diversity Pledge) work with diversity in innovation. The key learnings presented in this thesis work have guided our strategy and actions taken to work towards closing the existing diversity gap. It is important to recognize that this is a long-term strategic task,” says Ulrika.

And why is this important? As Ulrika points out, “Increasing diversity in the innovation process is a way to strengthen our innovative culture in Volvo Group even more, and by improving our innovation culture, we build sustainable competitive advantage, while also creating a more inclusive workplace.”

You can learn more about Intellectual Property, Gender, and Diversity at the WIPO website.

FACT BOX

Intellectual Property (IP) and Invention

Intellectual property (IP) is a legal concept that protects intangible assets that result from human creativity and innovation. From an invention perspective, IP represents the exclusive rights granted to the inventor or owner of a new and useful product or process.

There are several types of IP protection that can be relevant to inventions:

Patents: Provide exclusive rights to exploit the invention for a limited period.
Trademarks: Protect distinctive brand names, logos, and symbols.
Copyrights: Protect original works of authorship, such as designs, drawings, and software.
Trade secrets: Protect confidential information that gives a business a competitive advantage.

By obtaining IP protection, inventors can safeguard their inventions, commercialize them more effectively, and potentially generate revenue.

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