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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Michael Goodier

Flatpack coffins and robot dogs: patents applications show UK inventions of 2023

United Kingdom
Composite of inventions, including lying down desk, future piano and cookie cake
UK inventions; Lying Down Desk by Alex May, Future Piano by Sarah Nicolls and Cookie Cake by Anna Coombs. Photograph: Alex May, Sarah Niccols, Anna Coombs

A robot dog that does the vacuuming, a flatpack coffin and a cross between a cookie and a cake were among the things that UK-based inventors thought up last year.

A Guardian analysis of patent applications listed by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) found 5,955 involving at least one UK-based inventor had been published in 2023.

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