Toyota announced today at their CES 2015 press conference that the car manufacturer would be opening up 5,680 patents relating to fuel cell technology. While they fall into a number of categories, all are related to a future of hydrogen-electric vehicles. Toyota Senior VP Bob Carter has said that through this opening Toyota "invites the industry to the hydrogen future."

It is a strong possibility that this move was inspired by Teslas decision earlier in the year to open up patents on electric vehicles. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle goes farther than the Tesla when it comes to tricks with electricity. The Toyota Mirai will actually be capable of serving as an emergency generator during a power outage. An optional device equipped onto the Toyota Mirai will be capable of converting DC current back in to AC, consumable by other electronics devices.

"At Toyota, we believe that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen," said Carter after an opening keynote by Dr. Michio Kaku discussing the scientific positions of Thomas Edison as well as the future of Hydrogen powered vehicles.  Carter continued "By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively and economically."

For now the patents will only be made available to those within the fuel-cell vehicle industry. The open patents will run through the end of the initial market introduction period in 2020. Any company outside of the industry that wishes to use the patents will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Toyotas first concept car for this technology, the Toyota Mirai, will be available starting in 2015 and will increase production to tens of thousands of units by 2020. The Toyota Mirai will get an estimated 300 miles on their hydrogen fuel tanks.

All 5,680 patents will be made available to industry insiders royalty-free through 2020. The Toyota Mirai is expected to hit the market in 2015.