New Features for Electric Bikes: Valeo Unveils the PixelRide HMI
A Modular Product Soon Available
Presented at CES 2024, then at the Eurobike show, Valeo’s PixelRide Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is about to be marketed.
This new display stands out for its modularity and its ability to adapt to all electric bike motors, including those of competitors. The equipment manufacturer Valeo, known for its previously launched electric motor, is thus expanding its offer for electric-assisted bikes.
A Modular Design
Resulting from the collaboration with the Nantes-based SME Velco since 2022, the PixelRide consists of an intelligent docking station, a 2-inch touchscreen, and a remote control with a rotary accelerator. “The system can be mounted in different positions on the handlebar, and you can ride with or without the screen,” explains Guillaume Fayet, Head of Interior Experience Projects at Valeo. The large touchscreen displays bike statistics such as speed and pedaling frequencies. The screen can be removed for off-road trips, but the docking station continues to display essential information like assistance and battery levels.
Functionality and Durability
The remote control allows you to change gears, select assistance levels, and navigate through menus. A rotary trigger activates the boost mode and walk assistance. Guillaume Fayet emphasizes that each component of the PixelRide HMI is replaceable without having to change the entire system. This modularity and durability are a unique feature in the market.
Compatibility with Various Motors
Although designed for Valeo motors, the PixelRide HMI can also work with those from other manufacturers like Bosch, Shimano, and Bafang. “We are open to partnerships with different motor manufacturers,” explains Fayet. For the HMI to be compatible, technical exchanges between the components are necessary. The Valeo interface can adapt to partners’ color schemes and graphic preferences.
In terms of connectivity, PixelRide offers the “Phone as a key” feature which automatically locks the bike at a certain distance. Updates occur via the docking station, which also has a USB port, allowing the update of all the bike’s equipment.
Valeo offers a system with a smartphone app and integrated diagnostic tools. Partners can choose to use Valeo’s app or keep their own. Currently, the Valeo app is being developed by Velco.
Launch Scheduled for 2025
The PixelRide launch is planned for summer 2025 with an initial version benefiting from regular updates. Unlike the Cyclee motor, PixelRide’s industrialization will not take place in France, but also not in China. Objectives depend on agreements with various motor manufacturers, and new variants of the HMI are planned for the future.
