One of the biggest innovations to revolutionize the automotive industry has just arrived on e-bikes. In 1948 Oldsmobile debut the first production vehicle to ever feature Automatic Transmission. Now, in 2020, Valeo has just announced it’s new smart electric mobility technology. They are claiming, the Valeo Smart e-Bike System is the first solution in the world to integrate both an electric motor and an adaptive automatic transmission in the pedal assembly. Just when you thought e-bikes couldn’t get any better, this technology will change everything.
If your a cycling fan and you haven’t heard of Valeo, it’s probably because they are primary an automotive supply company. According to their website, the Valeo story started in 1923 in a workshop in Saint-Ouen, just outside of Paris, France. Over 90 years later, it is now a world-leading global automotive supplier operating in 33 countries and partnering with automakers worldwide.
According to their claims, with this new electric assistance system, the bike adapts to the cyclist, and not the other way around. The gears change automatically and the system’s algorithms instantly adapt to the amount of electric assistance the cyclist needs right from the first pedal stroke.
The company’s press release states, “Previously unavailable on the market, the Valeo technology developed in partnership with Effigear comprises a 48V electric motor and a seven-speed automatic, adaptive gearbox in a single unit located in the pedal assembly, providing the best electric assistance for bikes to date. Given the motor’s torque of 130 Newton meters, it can multiply the cyclist’s effort by eight, while other systems on the market offer up to a fivefold boost. Used on a cargo bike, Valeo’s electric assistance allows a cyclist carrying a 150kg load to climb a 14% gradient (the equivalent of a parking lot ramp) without breaking a sweat, whether moving forward or reversing. Valeo’s electric motor is also more efficient than the 24V or 36V motors installed on the vast majority of e-bikes available today.”
In addition to the automatic transmission, this system will also include an anti-theft function integrated directly into the pedal assembly that, when activated, blocks the use of the bike. It also boasts a pedestrian push-assist function, which is particularly useful when carrying heavy loads, and a boost function that makes it easier to overtake other cyclists and climb hills.
When will you see a Valeo e-bike on the market? You won’t, they have chosen to equip them with its electric assistance solution. Planning ahead the company has developed three prototypes to show how its system can be adapted to all types of models: a city bike, a mountain bike and a cargo bike for transporting loads. Jacques Aschenbroich, Valeo’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “One of Valeo’s key strategic focuses is accelerating its expansion in the emerging markets for new “zero-emissions” mobility, including electric small city vehicles, electric motorcycles and scooters, last-mile autonomous delivery droids and electric bikes. To do this, we are leveraging and adapting the technological platforms that we developed for the automotive industry – both those dedicated to ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and to low-voltage electrification (48V).”
If the e-bike market was already booming, look out now. The possibilities really are endless. Imagine not having to worry about switching gears and just enjoying the ride. This will make the bikes safer as well. With e-bikes traveling at higher speeds than traditional bikes, looking down at the gear shifter could get a little tricky. This will completely eliminate that motion giving you more focus on the road or trail. I am certainly looking forward to where this will go.