CEDAR PARK, Texas and ZWOLLE, Netherlands, Nov. 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NuVinci Cycling, a division of Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook), announced today that the Piaggio Group has chosen Fallbrook's Harmony H|Sync™ for its new Electric Bike Project. The Harmony H|Sync automatic shifting system includes Fallbrook's NuVinci® N360™ bicycle transmission optimized by the NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology – a new breed of continuously variable transmission (CVT).
With headquarters in Pontedera, Italy, the Piaggio Group is the largest European manufacturer of two-wheeled motor vehicles and one of the world leaders in its sector. Its product range includes scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds from 50 to 1,400cc marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Derbi, and Scarabeo brands. The Group also has a major international presence in the commercial vehicle market.
Recognizing the growing size and importance of the eBike market, Piaggio has entered the sector with its Electric Bike Project, a dramatically new eBike design. While based on a classic diamond shaped aluminum frame with a suspension fork in the front, the Piaggio design seamlessly integrates all drivetrain parts -- motor, battery, and Fallbrook's Harmony H|Sync transmission -- in an attention-getting package. Piaggio has stated its objective is to go "far beyond the concept of an assisted pedal bike" and is pricing the Electric Bike Project attractively.
"The presence of an eBike in motorcycle dealerships -- featuring great technology and attractive pricing -- is likely to have a profound impact on the overall eBike market," said David Hancock, EVP, Product Business Units, Fallbrook Technologies. "The demand for eBikes has been growing steadily, so this new distribution venue makes perfect sense."
"Piaggio is a paragon of Italian style and has always reflected the image of traditional urban mobility all over Europe," added Fallbrook CEO William G. Klehm III. "We are extremely pleased that a leading company like Piaggio is investing in innovative and sustainable urban mobility concepts. This makes Fallbrook's partnership in this Electric Bike Project even more gratifying."
The Piaggio Electric Bike Project has a mid-motor power unit (250-350W) entirely designed and developed by Piaggio. With its ability to shift under full load and provide smooth ratio changes without shift shock, the NuVinci N360 hub fits well with Piaggio's motor and their assessment of mobility needs.
The Harmony H|Sync intelligent auto-shifting system provides the capability of automatic ratio adjustment based on cadence. That capability not only provides ease of operation but also can extend range. Consequently, the powertrain system, with a 400 Wh lithium-ion battery, provides a range, on average, between 60 and 120 kilometers, depending on the mode of use and surrounding conditions.
Instead of a conventional user interface for the motor, Piaggio has created its own PMP (Piaggio Multimedia Platform) technology. Harmony H|Sync uses the open CAN Bus communication standard, which means that not only can the shifting action itself be integrated directly into the PMP, but so can many other useful features, such as functionality for fitness and health applications.
The technology incorporated in the Piaggio Electric Bike will allow it to be used as a "fitness machine" in which the cyclist can set his or her physical effort. Additionally, connecting external devices such as heart rate monitors will permit the cyclist to manage the electric motor power output and cadence based on a heart rate goal. Training programs can potentially balance heart and pedal frequency on the route, for health reasons, or simply to keep from becoming overheated on the way to work.
About Fallbrook Technologies
Fallbrook Technologies is the developer of the patented NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology, which can improve the performance and efficiency of machines that use a transmission, including vehicles, stationary equipment, bicycles, and others.
The NuVinci technology is Transforming Gears into Spheres™ by using a set of rotating spheres between the input and output components of a transmission. Tilting the spheres changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio. NuVinci CVPs can be configured to replace multiple planetary gears, providing significant efficiency and performance improvement in a compact package. The NuVinci technology offers companies the flexibility to design and produce next-generation products that are better tailored to their unique business, market, and competitive requirements. Major automotive transmission suppliers have licensed the NuVinci technology for the development of automotive class drivetrains, and a market-leading supplier has licensed the technology and is developing NuVinci-optimized transmissions for electric and gasoline light vehicle applications.
The first commercial products incorporating the technology are the currently available N360 bicycle transmission and the Harmony™ auto-shifting system for bicycles, which includes the N360. Fallbrook has built an extensive portfolio of over 700 patents and patent applications worldwide. For more information, visit www.fallbrooktech.com.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=29006
