The LEVA-EU member’s PERS system has won the prestigious Good Design Award in the Sports and Recreation Category. This American design award collective has been running since the 1950s in celebrating the pursuit of excellence from designers and architects.
On its website, the Good Design Award has published a statement about the PERS system, where it compliments it on opening “new possibilities for bicycle ergonomics, comfort and design”.
CIXI has stated that this achievement was a wonderful way for it conclude 2025 as it looks ahead to a positive 2026 in redefining a range of two-, three- and four-wheeled active vehicles beyond the standard e-bike, while retaining the ease, intuitiveness and various health benefits from human pedalling.
The LEVA-EU member describes how its cutting-edge technology adds freedom to active mobility. By eliminating the need for mechanical transmission, it optimizes convenient riding experiences for a range of vehicles with powerful, intuitive pedalling and easier maintenance.
The French brand explains that its chainless technology is a great solution for one, two, three and four wheeled vehicles because it eliminates grease, rust and the need for constant maintenance. It states that it replaces the need for mechanical transmission by incorporating “the benefits of pedalling into a scalable block to build architectures beyond the electric bike, keeping the ease, intuitiveness, and benefits of human pedaling. Whatever the style, the load, the speed, the wheels: one, two, three, four..”
The significance in pedaling haptics for optimising user experiences
Haptics refers to any type of interaction that uses forces or movements for user communication – such as tactile feedback when using smartphone functions. CIXI states that by removing the need for a chain, its PERS system haptics imitate the function of a chain, enabling riders with a new control level as they move actively through pedalling.
CIXI emphasises that the concept of haptics and force feedback shouldn’t be overlooked, as it makes users feel comfortable and connected to their vehicle.
Its PERS pedalling system stands for Pedalling Energy Recovery System, a device that translates human pedalling energy into electricity for movement. It enhances the pedalling experience by being:
Easy to use – requiring no gear shifting, as the system intuitively and continuously adapts to the ratio between the rider’s cadence and wheel speed. It adapts to the rider’s style and intention, bringing a smooth, uninterrupted flow of power.
Responsive – it brings the exact torque at the exact millisecond required, intelligently translating the rider’s intention to the vehicle. It contains up to 185 Newton-meters of resistive torque, so there will be no lag when pedalling.
Reliable and durable – it removes the need for exposed and vulnerable mechanical parts, bringing cost-effectiveness above marginal gains in efficiency. CIXI says this brings long lifecycles for vehicles (after testing PERS for 50,000 km). Chainless technology represents fewer components, minimised maintenance with no greasy parts, no broken chains or belts.
Effective and scalable – in real time, it translates human energy into electricity, using this energy to give users full control over their vehicle. Its high integration, flexibility, and simplicity make it possible to pedal in many other architectures focused on the rider’s needs beyond the bike.
Evolutive – via its integrated IoT box it is connected to a cloud, which enables over-the-air updates, smart features, and safety improvements, allowing it to get better over time.
CIXI’s PERS chainless pedaling system is a “pedal-by-wire” system adopting a “serial hybrid” architecture:
More information about how CIXI’s technology is driving significant, industry-wide solutions can be accessed on its website.
LEVA-EU members CIXI and ICE Trikes were interviewed by Gary Solomon on the Laidback Bike Report webcast, during an episode dedicated to e-assist technology in trikes. The discussion featured CIXI presenting its cutting-edge PERS Technology, alongside ICE Trikes, which has integrated this innovation into its upcoming trike model.
In this episode, Gary Solomon discusses the revolution of electric-assisted trikes and how CIXI’s PERS system is being incorporated into trike models, enabling them to operate efficiently without components including chains, chainrings, chain guards, idler wheels, derailleurs, cassettes, shifters or shifter cables.
Solomon interviews CIXI’s CEO and Co-founder, Pierre Francis, about the PERS system in detail, and about the recumbent trike brands that have included it in their designs. He was also given a tour of CIXI headquarters, which involved an exclusive look at the company’s next model, the Vigoz, a three-wheeled, pedal-electric vehicle that can pedal up to 120 kph.
Recumbent trike brands that are equipping their products with CIXI’s PERS technology also joined Solomon on the episode, including ICE Trikes, a major player in the global market. ICE Trikes’ general manager, Adrian Davies, Marketing Director Phil Zschiesche and Product Designer Euan Crowder gave an exclusive introduction to the CIXI PERS ICE Trike, which will be launched later this year.
The full Laidback Bike Report can be accessed on YouTube.
The LEVA-EU member has been testing the performance of its MULE-1 ahead of its integration into VIGOZ’s light electric vehicle prototype.
Meanwhile, the E-ROE ONE, equipped with CIXI’s PERS technology, successfully completed a demanding round trip on the Col de l’Iseran mountain pass on a single charge, showcasing its impressive performance.
The progress and next stages of CIXI’s VIGOZ vehicle
Following the presentation of its Looks-Like Build (LLB), which revealed the final exterior design, the company has continued testing with the MULE 1 prototype. Unlike the LLB, the MULE 1 is a fully functional model without bodywork and has already demonstrated the ability to reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h.
The forthcoming phase will see the integration of exterior design with performance capabilities into a complete prototype. This version is expected to combine all systems developed so far, blending technology and performance features with user comfort, into a fully realized vehicle.
Beyond prototype development, the steps were outlined for VIGOZ’s industrialization and certification, including:
Scaling up production
Validating components
Optimizing assembly
Ensuring durability and repairability
The company’s target is to launch the first certified, road-ready VIGOZ models via subscription, with fleet availability to follow. Pre-orders will begin once delivery timelines are finalized.
CIXI’s PERS system proves its strength on the Col de l’Iseran
Recently E-ROE highlighted the performance of its PERS chainless system with a demanding test in the French Alps. The system powered a 56 km round trip on the Col de l’Iseran, which is the highest paved pass in Europe at 2,764 meters. It delivered 1,340 meters of elevation gain on a single 1,440 Wh battery.
Jean-Philippe Banquet, CEO of E-ROE, praised CIXI for its system’s reliability with the following statement.
“Your PERS has enabled us to climb the highest mountain pass in Europe, at 2,764 m: the Iseran Pass! Apart from a few adjustments and comments on the user experience, which we will discuss at our next meeting, everything worked perfectly! 56 km round trip with 1,340 m of elevation gain, all on a single 1,440 Wh battery thanks to energy recovery on descents and an average speed of 25 km/h!”
More details about this trip can be accessed on CIXI’s website.
Whats next for the PERS chainless technology system?
Beginning in October, new PERS kits will be released for pedelec bicycles and last-mile delivery solutions. These will feature a software update designed to improve pedaling comfort, enhance overall performance, and introduce new functionalities. By year’s end, large-scale connectivity features such as remote diagnostics are also expected to be rolled out.
With its chainless technology, E-ROE is positioning the PERS system as a versatile solution tailored to the needs of professional users.
LEVA-EU member ICE Trikes presented a first for the trike industry at Eurobike last week, exhibiting a model equipped with the PERS chainless pedalling system developed by fellow LEVA-EU member CIXI.
ICE Trikes summed up the advantages of the PERS system succinctly: “No chains or gears, regenerative braking, reverse pedalling and truly clean innovative e-assist cycling. It’s the future!” ICE Trikes has been able to incorporate PERS into their designs smoothly, thanks to the open-architecture design which allows it to be integrated with third-party motors and batteries. They teamed up at Eurobike with CIXI to showcase the technology.
The brand had models on show both at their indoor booth, and in the outdoor demo area where visitors could take a test ride. Alongside the PERS-equipped models was ICE Trikes’ Handcycle project.
LEVA-EU member CIXI’s CEO welcomed Cleanrider to the company’s headquarters in Annecy, France, offering valuable insight into the company, its groundbreaking chainless pedal system, and its plans to elevate active mobility.
The origins of CIXI
Founded in 2015 by CEO Pierre Francis, CIXI has spent nearly a decade in stealth-mode research and development. The company now employs over 100 engineers. Francis entered the field of active mobility after a career in IT and personal services, driven by a mission to get more people exercising as a form of transportation.
“I wanted to develop something in line with a more active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is a huge societal problem today. In the past, we used our muscles to get around. Then the car arrived. The paradox is that it opened up geographical horizons while confining people to a sedentary lifestyle,” explains Francis.
CIXI’s Vigoz and the introduction of PERS technology
The company’s journey into active mobility began with the Vigoz, a pedal-powered quadricycle. It was during this project that CIXI developed PERS, its transmission-free pedal system. The technology was later adapted for bicycles, where engineers installed it on a traditional bike frame as a chainless crankset, an innovation the company believes will revolutionise the cycling industry.
While Vigoz remains in development, PERS will be CIXI’s first product to reach market, providing essential funding for ongoing innovation.
Standout features of CIXI’s revolutionary PERS technology
Still in its prototype phase, the PERS system was tested by Cleanrider on both a bicycle and a recumbent trike. The system impressed testers with its performance, including its responsive support, the instant activation of the torque sensor and rear motor from minimal pedal pressure, and its seamless gear-shifting without traditional transmission components.
The regenerative braking system was also highly praised. Its backpedaling function enables riders to activate a motor brake that both slows the bike and partially recharges the battery. On trikes, reverse pedaling adds further maneuverability and enhances safety.
The system also includes a central console, which provides real-time feedback on battery status, speed, and ride mode.
PERS: a modular system designed for manufacturers
CIXI’s open-architecture design allows PERS to be integrated with third-party motors and batteries, provided they are compatible with regeneration features. To aid adoption, CIXI offers manufacturers technical support, preconfigured kits, and collaboration with trained engineering firms referred to as “PERS Partners”.
“Bicycle geometry no longer has any constraints. In terms of design, we’ve eliminated many mechanical parts. It’s a huge breakthrough, the magic of mathematics is that we can do what we want. The problem is that our customers don’t understand it very well yet! So we’ve prepared packs for them with different typical configurations,” Francis summarises.
The widespread launch of PERS and upcoming events
After nearly ten years of R&D, CIXI plans to begin industrial production of 3,000 to 5,000 cranksets in 2025. Its expanded facility in Haute-Savoie is expected to reach a full capacity of 50,000 units annually, with an additional production line launching in India by 2026 to serve the Asian market.
At Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany, from June 25-29 in Hall 8.0 at its booth G28, CIXI will showcase four concept bikes featuring the PERS system: a cargo bike, speed bike, electric city bike, and a trike. The Vigoz will also be presented, although its commercial release is still several years away. Event visitors will also be able to test the PERS system on Eurobike’s test track at booth F11.
Shortly after, the CIXI team will be at the cycling industry trade show Prodays from July 6-8 at Paris Expo in France, located at Pavilion 6, booth G26.
The brand welcomes users to sign up to its VIGOZ club to be the first to be updated on upcoming reveals, access behind the scenes and team updates.
