gesponsertPrecision in the Details Driving Interaction and Efficiency with Next-Generation Components

Gesponsert von

Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd.

IAA Mobility has become the stage for the future of transportation. Autonomous driving, electrification, and digitalization dominate the pages but the future success of mobility will often depend on the detailed but not obvious elements inside the vehicle.

Mobility is changing in many directions at once, from new ways of interacting with vehicles to new forms of getting around the city. On display at IAA Mobility were two innovations from Taiyo Yuden that reflect this shift. In cars, piezoelectric actuators make surfaces responsive to touch and sound. On bicycles, FEREMO™* turns every braking and coasting into recovered energy, giving e-bikes the stamina for much longer journeys.

*FEREMO™: Future Energy REcycling system for MObility

Interaction: Piezoelectric Actuators in Automotive Design

Modern cars have advanced well past mechanical switches. Touch panels, glass surfaces, and gesture recognition are now standard. However, they lack tactile feedback. Therefore, using such systems requires a lot of attention in order to receive feedback. Every split second is critical. At 50 kilometers per hour a vehicle is covering almost 14 meters per second. A slight lapse in attention can make the difference between no accident or serious accident.

Taiyo Yuden’s piezoelectric actuators provide an elegant solution. By operating in the high-frequency range up to 35 kilohertz, these components generate precise vibrations that are immediately felt through the surface of a display or control panel. Each touch delivers a distinct physical confirmation. What feels like a minor improvement in ergonomics is, in reality, a safety feature that directly reduces distraction.

In this range, surfaces themselves transform into loudspeakers. Displays or other surfaces become sound-emitting elements, creating acoustic feedback that could be localized. Without the need for bulky speakers.

Technically, the system exploits the reverse piezoelectric effect. The material deforms minutely under an applied voltage, generating oscillations that either translate into tactile feedback or audible sound. Taiyo Yuden draws on the same dielectric ceramic technologies in which the company has decades of expertise through its capacitor business. For manufacturers, it's an enticing mix of safety, design versatility, and energy savings. For drivers and passengers, it's an opportunity for intuitive operation and a richer experience in the car.

Extending Range: Regenerative Assist for E-Bikes

While piezo actuators redefine the way humans interact with cars, Taiyo Yuden also addresses another pressing challenge of sustainable mobility. How to maximize range and reduce energy waste. This time with focus on electric bicycles.

E-bikes are already changing commuting styles, but for riders, they are still concerned about their range limitations and charging requirements. That is where Taiyo Yuden’s FEREMO™, the regenerative electric assist system, offers a solution. The FEREMO™ motor is mounted on the e-bike’s front wheel and provides for energy recovery during braking or decelerating while going downhill. Instead of simply rejecting kinetic energy in the form of heat, it operates the motor as a generator and uses most of that motion to convert it back into electrical energy and recharges the battery. The battery can even be used to charge a person’s smartphone and other devices.

The recovered energy is not just theoretical. In real-world use, FEREMO™ significantly extends riding distance. Depending on terrain, mode, and riding conditions, ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers per charge (tested according to JIS D 9115:2018-09-20) become achievable, as demonstrated in commercial bicycles such as Maruishi Cycle’s Re:BIKE equipped with FEREMO™.

FEREMO™ achieves long-range riding, relying not on a large battery but on smart motor control and energy management. As a result, it can efficiently switch between a driving and generation mode when needed to absorb energy while keeping the ride experience smooth without added resistance in pedaling or a sudden dropoff in braking feel.

The benefits do not stop with the cyclist. As soon as a rider is responsible for charging less often, they enhance the cycling experience by adding battery life. For manufacturers, having the technology itself makes their e-bikes stand out in a competitive market.

Two Solutions, One Philosophy

A piezo actuator in a car and a regenerative assist system in an e-bike may seem worlds apart. However, both are grounded in the philosophy that small and precise devices can significantly improve safety, efficiency, and user experience.

In automobiles, the piezo actuator ensures that the driver’s interaction is not only intuitive but also safe. In bicycles, FEREMO™ transforms an everyday ride into an extended journey.

While concept cars and digital ecosystems may be captivating at IAA Mobility, Taiyo Yuden will be the reminder to the industry that it is often the details that lead to development. Without piezoelectric actuators, infotainment systems can only consider the device of touch or tactile feedback as aspirational ideas. Micromobility can only register the gig as sustainable without range anxiety if we consider regenerative assistance as a useful coaction with micromobility infrastructure.

Conclusion

Taiyo Yuden's session at IAA Mobility highlighted the importance of innovations in components to shape the future of transport. The use of piezoelectric actuators extends the automotive interface in combining haptics and acoustics in a single component. FEREMO™, the regenerative electric assist system, allows e-bikes to take advantage of all lost energy, extending their usability.

Both solutions have a similar aim: to enable mobility that is smarter, safer and more sustainable. They also both suggest the future of mobility won’t be visions to just get headlines but will be underpinned by the silences and some precision in bringing visions into reality.

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