First look: Also's upcoming e-bike disconnects the pedals and wheels

Also's new e-bike prototype decouples pedaling from propulsion, betting that software algorithms, not hardware, will redefine the cycling experience. | Contesto: cronaca

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• First look: Also's upcoming e-bike disconnects the pedals and wheels

Contesto

In a significant departure from conventional electric bicycle design, mobility startup Also has unveiled a prototype e-bike that fundamentally severs the mechanical link between the pedals and the rear wheel. The system, revealed in a first-look preview, replaces the traditional chain or belt drive with independent electric motors at the pedals and the wheel, connected solely by software. This allows the bicycle's computer to interpret rider input at the pedals and then decide how, and how much, to power the wheel, creating a riding dynamic entirely mediated by algorithms. The company is staking its claim on the belief that this software-first approach will create a distinct and superior form of urban transportation. The core innovation lies in the decoupling of force. On a standard bicycle or e-bike, pedaling is directly and mechanically tied to wheel rotation through gearing. Also's design transforms the pedals into sophisticated input sensors. As a rider pedals, the system measures cadence, torque, and rhythm, feeding this data into a central processor. The software then interprets this input according to a pre-programmed or selectable "ride feel" profile before sending a command to the wheel's drive motor. This means the physical effort of pedaling is no longer the primary source of propulsion; it becomes a request for power, which the software can grant, modify, or even ignore based on the selected mode and conditions. This architecture unlocks a range of experiences impossible with a physical drivetrain. For instance, a "constant effort" mode could maintain wheel power to simulate riding on a flat surface regardless of an actual hill's incline, effectively making every ride feel effortless. Conversely, a "training" mode could intentionally increase resistance at the wheel motor to simulate a steep climb, even while the pedals themselves remain easy to turn. The software could also introduce entirely new dynamics, such as a pulsing rhythm that matches a playlist or a regenerative braking feel that converts pedaling backward into battery recharge. The bicycle transitions from a simple machine into a programmable platform where the relationship between human...

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Categoria: cronaca