The detail about changing gears is glossed over, there is that big stack of what look like sprockets so it is assumed that changing gear is possible, but, get to the bottom of the article, and it isn't.
This is doing well as a fake-halo product for Ceramic Speed and their existing products, it is a crowded marketplace and not many people care about bike bearings, this product makes people aware that there is room for efficiency gains.
> The detail about changing gears is glossed over, there is that big stack of what look like sprockets so it is assumed that changing gear is possible, but, get to the bottom of the article, and it isn't.
Actually, it's not - take a look at the renderings again.
If you notice (and the article details) the rear "cassette" is actually a flat disk with concentric "gearing" which the roller bearing "gear" on the shaft interfaces with.
Switching gears would be accomplished (in theory) by moving the roller bearing "gear" in and out along the radius of the rear disc "gear".
It reminds me in a way of old wood "peg" and "lantern" gearing seen in wind/water mills and similar old power transmission systems, except in this case the "peg" gear is a formed or cast disc, and the "lantern" (which you couldn't shift due to the plates at the ends) is a "ring" of bearings, the bearings forming the "teeth" of the gear (which isn't that strange, if you understand how a simple gear is basically formed out of partial circles along the edge of a larger circle, all "joined up").
They do mention though, at the end of the article, that they can't shift gears easily and something about an internal wireless servo (which I think is kinda daft). I would instead use a splined shaft, and just change the "length" of the shaft to move the end-gear in/out of the wheel gear, and actuate it with a normal lever and bowden-cable type arrangement, though that might interfere with their efforts/want for more efficiency...
The thing is that this gadget has been doing the rounds of trade shows for more than a year with this unfinished detail of having it actually change gear.
There is this difference between theory and practice. So even if there was a solution - yours is elegant b.t.w. - then it would take a whole lot of testing and fine tuning to get right.
I am actually quite astonished at how bicycle parts evolve, the derailleur took the best part of a century to get indexed gears and those took decades to go from clunky to smooth. What took so long to get right? Scores of refinements were needed, e.g. to the sprocket teeth profiles, to being able to manufacture a decent chain to basics of friction in cables. Then there is the challenge of mass manufacturing these things so they are durable and precise.
I am not dismissing the ceramic speed shaft innovation - it gets people thinking - but I doubt my bike will be losing its chain any time soon!
This is doing well as a fake-halo product for Ceramic Speed and their existing products, it is a crowded marketplace and not many people care about bike bearings, this product makes people aware that there is room for efficiency gains.