STMicroelectronics helps Panasonic Cycle Technology bring AI to e-assisted bikes for affordable safety boost

STMicroelectronics helps Panasonic Cycle Technology bring AI
to e-assisted bikes for affordable safety boost

• The new tire pressure monitoring system¹ improves safety and user experiences
• ST’s software ecosystem tool, STM32Cube.AI, accelerates development of the edge AI function operating on the STM32 microcontroller

Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2024 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has announced that Panasonic Cycle Technology, Co. Ltd. (Panasonic) has adopted the STM32F3 microcontroller (MCU) and edge AI development tool, STM32Cube.AI, for their TiMO A e-assisted bike. ST’s edge AI solutions provide a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that leverages an advanced AI function to improve rider safety and convenience.

Panasonic is a leading producer of e-assisted bikes in Japan and offers a wide variety of products for various uses to the Japanese market. Their electric assist bicycle for school commuting, TiMO A, runs an AI application on the STM32F3 MCU to infer the tire air pressures without using pressure sensors. Based on information from the motor and the bicycle speed sensor, the system generates a warning to inflate the tires if necessary. ST's edge AI development tool, STM32Cube.AI, enabled Panasonic to implement this edge AI function while fitting into STM32F3 embedded memory space. This new function simplifies tire air-pressure maintenance, which enhances rider safety and prolongs the life of tires and other cycle components. It also helps to reduce the cost and design work, as there is no need for additional hardware such as an air pressure sensor.

"We develop and manufacture e-assisted bikes with the mission of delivering environmentally friendly, safe, and comfortable transportation, accessible to all," said Mr. Hiroyuki KAMO, Manager, Software Development Section, Development Department of Panasonic Cycle Technology. "ST's STM32F3 MCU provides cost competitiveness and optimal functions and performance for e-assisted bikes. By combining the STM32F3 MCU with STM32Cube.AI, we were able to implement the innovative AI function without the need to change hardware. We will continue to increase the range of models with AI functions and strive to fulfill our mission by leveraging ST's edge AI solutions."