How do independent R&D teams know if something is already solved or not? There are so many papers out there, how can they focus obtaining the new information but try their own solutions as well for a commercial purpose? Maybe its a n00b question and it only means I have 0 R&D xp, but things I am thinking about is always found in a paper with tons of references.
That is why I not decided to choose a similar position, because what I feel I'd do is asking permission from my boss to check "all the necessary information out there" to make sure I am aware of existing technology not to reinvent or miss things. Would take infinite time obviously. :D