TAIYO YUDEN has developed FEREMO™, a regenerative electric assist system that has the potential to bring innovation to the industry by enabling up to 1,000km of operation on a single charge*. The platform that will feature this system is Re:BIKE, a next-generation, electric assist bicycle developed by Maruishi Cycle. Staff from both companies gathered to discuss the future of electric assist bicycles and the innovation triggered by FEREMO.
It has been over 30 years since the first electric assist bicycles were introduced. Today, these bicycles have become a common part of daily life, and are used for shopping, dropping off and picking up children, commuting to and from school and work, and bicycle sharing services.
On the other hand, Hiroki Takebayashi, who leads product development at Maruishi Cycle, believes that “there are still unexplored usage scenarios where the potential of electric assist bicycles can be utilized as a form of mobility that supports daily life and society.” Since its founding in 1894, the Maruishi Cycle has existed as a bicycle manufacturer that provides unique products designed for use in daily life.
“However, leaning solely on the internal strengths of the bicycle industry alone makes it difficult to achieve innovation that impacts society. We need collaborations that strive for manufacturing that incorporates the innovative knowledge and ideas and advanced technology of other industries.” (Takebayashi)
FEREMO, the regenerative electric assist system by TAIYO YUDEN, is a technology that responds to this current environment and meets the needs of society by supporting the shift of electric assist bicycles into the age of mobility.
FEREMO efficiently stores energy generated during downhill braking and deceleration as power that is redirected to enable assisted operation of up to 1,000km on a single charge. This is a revolutionary system that was developed by incorporating the best elements of TAIYO YUDEN’s power electronics technology. The rider is able to freely set the assist level and power regeneration, enabling flexible adaptation to various objectives and user situations.
(Upper left) A Re:BIKE bicycle by Maruishi Cycle equipped with FEREMO. Features a timeless, simple yet stylish design. (Bottom left) Regenerating power while braking on a downhill slope. (Upper right) A motor compatible with the FEREMO regenerative braking system attached to the front wheel. (Bottom right) A monitor that indicates calories burned and power generation levels. Provides objective figures to visualize the bike’s impact on improving health and contributing to carbon reduction.
“We believe that the value of bicycles is that they are a part of people’s daily lives and can easily be used in a variety of situations. The name FEREMO is an acronym for Future Energy Recycling system for Mobility,” says TAIYO YUDEN’s Yasuo Hosaka, who developed FEREMO. “We thoroughly evaluated the functions and performance necessary to ensure pleasant mobility in daily life, the ability to operate the bicycle while enjoying the scenery, and promoting healthy living. We started from scratch and incorporated these elements from the component level,” states Hosaka.
Maruishi Cycle developed and launched sales of the electric assist bicycle Re:BIKE, which features the FEREMO system developed by TAIYO YUDEN. “We wanted to highlight the bicycle’s feature of being able to run for a long time no need for the user to worry about the remaining battery level. For this reason, we adopted a simple and stylish design that is durable, timeless, and can be used in more situations,” says Maruishi Cycle’s Jin Suzuki, who was involved in product development. With Re:BIKE as a launching point, we are likely to see more bicycles featuring FEREMO.
――Why did Maruishi Cycle decide to adopt the system developed by TAIYO YUDEN, which is in a different industry?
Hosaka: TAIYO YUDEN has a strong desire to contribute to resolving social issues through a variety of businesses and technologies. Since the mid-2000s, we have been searching for development themes with strong social value by making use of the power supply circuit technology and knowledge that we have accumulated over the years. One of the projects we focused on was regeneration technology for electric assist bicycles.
However, a bicycle is a product whose value is evaluated based on the user’s subjective view of factors such as riding comfort. Our main business is BtoB, and we have no contact with bicycle users, so we did not have any knowledge from that perspective. This point was an issue as we advanced application development and pursued technical improvements. To gain a better understanding, we decided to provide the regenerative electric assist system we developed to the Tokyo College of Cycle Design for use as a teaching tool. Mr. Suzuki of Maruishi Cycle was a student of the school at that time, and that is one of the reasons he came to know of our company.
Suzuki: There is increasing demand for the skills needed to design electric assist bicycles. It was a positive development for the school as it was able to work closely with and receive support from companies with high technological capabilities.
Takebayashi: In that respect, this was also true for Maruishi Cycle. The power unit is the source of the value for electric assist bicycles. To create better products, it is essential to develop them from the component level. We are able to quickly bring superior products to market by adopting advanced technology beyond the capabilities of a bicycle manufacturer and repeatedly working in close-knit collaborations to receive technical support and request improvements.
――What is the difference between regeneration technology for bicycles and the technology used in automobiles such as hybrid cars?
Hosaka: With regenerative technology for bicycles, it is important to consider how comfortable and convenient the user feels in relation to the bicycle’s functions. A wide variety of regenerative functions will be required based on the feeling, mood, and conditions of each user. This point is the biggest difference compared to automobiles, where engine load can be objectively evaluated to maximize regeneration efficiency.
Takebayashi: Beyond the specifications listed in the catalog, the ability to operate for up to 1,000km on a single charge, when evaluating the value of a bicycle, it is important to incorporate high quality that appeals to the user's senses. This includes elements such as the feel of the pedal and the ride comfort. FEREMO itself is equipped with technology that adjusts for these considerations. Our skill lies in our ability to bring out such potential and create bicycles that provide an exhilarating ride.
――How will FEREMO change usage scenarios for electric assist bicycles?
Suzuki: A bicycle is a vehicle that provide a unique sense of accomplishment in the sense that it doesn't move unless you pedal it yourself. Riding a bike during sightseeing will leave lasting memories of your time cycling. Bicycles equipped with FEREMO can provide experiences that cannot be had by driving a car or motorcycle while also making mobility more comfortable.
Takebayashi: In recent years, the difficulty of managing shared bicycles, including the frequency of charging, has become an issue. Vehicles equipped with FEREMO, which can reduce the number of charging cycles, alleviates these issues. With Re:BIKE, the charging span is 200 days assuming you ride 5km per day. This would provide comfortable services to more visitors than ever before, including responding to the needs of inbound tourists.
Hosaka: We have already donated FEREMO-equipped vehicles to areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake. FEREMO also includes a monitor with a numerical display of calories consumed and the electricity regenerated. We hope to provide users a sense of fulfillment by visualizing their accomplishments towards improving their health and contributing to decarbonization.
――Please tell us about your vision for the future.
Suzuki: Bicycles are vehicles used by a diverse range of users all over the world, from advanced countries to emerging nations. I believe the innovations achieved through FEREMO have the potential to impact the entire world.
Takebayashi: Re:BIKE was developed as a bicycle that early adopters who enjoy leading-edge products can be proud of. FEREMO can run 100km even in power mode, which is designed to provide maximum electric assist. I believe that if we focus on these points, we will be able to develop an even wider range of applications. We will develop a variety of bicycles that will appeal to even more users.
Hosaka: Bicycles equipped with FEREMO have a power generation function. By taking advantage of this feature, we believe users can improve their health through fitness. The bicycle can also be used effectively as a generator and portable power source in the event of a power outage such as a disaster.
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Regenerative Electric Assist System FEREMO™
Regenerative Electric Assist System FEREMO™