Shimano is a well-known name in the bicycle industry globally, however, with the emerging e-cycle numbers, Shimano is overshadowed. To gain grounds, Shimano, instead of making electric cycles, has opted to innovate with what the company is known for and has come up with an AI-assisted gear-shifting mechanism, called the Q’Auto.
The company recently invited people to test-ride the new Q’Auto gear system and customers seemed to be impressed, according to a report by Nikkei.
AI-equipped Q’Auto gear system — How does it work?
Shimano’s AI-equipped Q’Auto system uses a sensor in a wheel hub, the shifting mechanism, and an 11-speed gear ratio. The system adjusts the speeds based on the rider’s riding habits, while the Ai system comes loaded with various riding patterns based on the test ride data. The AI system also learns from the speed and the inclines a rider would normally choose to select the right gears.
The Q’Auto system is the product of years of development since the launch of the electronically controlled shifting in the early 2000s. With the new system, Shimano is targeting the same set of customers as electric bikes, and with the advantage of saved weight without a Lithium-ion battery pack crammed in the frame, Shimano might just be reinventing the wheel here.
