Not too long ago we showed you a new automatic transmission that has been developed with bicycles in mind, but may very well be suitable for larger-scale machines such as motorcycles or even automobiles in the future. The transmission is now available on the Ellsworth Ride city bike. We have also shown you how you could potentially save time by commuting on a bicycle, depending on the traffic patterns in the area in which you live. Granted, this is a very expensive bicycle ($3,000-$4,000), but think of the bright side: not only will you have no emissions when you ride (in style), but you will also be helping your own body.

[Source: Ellsworth via Gizmag]

Now this is something that is totally cool. You are probably familiar with the CVT, or continuously variable transmissions, that are becoming more commonplace on modern cars and scooters these days. The systems generally use a couple of pulleys and a belt or chain to connect the two pulleys. As the diameter of the pulleys change, the belt and output shaft change speeds, allowing the car or scooter a seamless transmission from high to low "gear".

This is another type of CVT, one that uses a planetary setup instead of the more common pulleys and belt. Watch the video above the some technical details on how it works. This invention could prove less costly to manufacture and could be more durable than current CVT's, and may see use in everything from bicycles to cars.

[Source: Youtube via Hugg]