Big feat! Hyundai develops world 1st active shift control for hybrid cars - Check its practical benefits

In a big accomplishment, Hyundai Motor Group has developed the world’s first Active Shift Control (ASC) transmission technology. The world-first technology has been developed in-house. And, now it is set for mass production and will be coming to a car near you. The new technology will premiere in the upcoming Hyundai and Kia hybrids. Here are the practical benefits of ASC transmission technology:-

-   The technology improves gear-shift efficiency for hybrid vehicles

- The innovation optimizes transmission efficiency by monitoring gear shifts 500 times per second

- It precisely adjusts the transmission rotation speed to for faster shift times

- ASC reduces gear-shift times by 30%, and thereby enhances driving fun, and improves fuel economy

How it works?

ASC applies new control logic software to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU), which then controls the electric motor to align the rotational speeds of the engine and transmission to reduce gear shift time by 30%. 

The technology also delivers smoother gear changes despite quicker shift times.

Reacting to this major innovation by Hyundai, Kyoung Joon Chang, Vice President and Head of Powertrain Control System Group of Hyundai Motor Group, said, “The development of world’s first ASC technology is a remarkable innovation which incorporates precise motor control to automatic transmission." Chang further adds, "It will not only save fuel but also provide a more fun driving experience for our customers."

Innovation: EXPLAINED | Independently Developed Control Logic Software Applied to the Electric Motor 

Conventional hybrid vehicles do not have torque converters in order to further improve fuel economy as torque converters lose energy during the process of transmission. Although fuel efficient, such a system also requires longer shift times to ensure smoother gear changes.

ASC technology allows the hybrid’s electric motor to also take control of gear shifts by applying new software logic to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) to mitigate issues with slower shift time. The HCU monitors the rotational speed of transmission with a sensor installed inside the electric motor at 500 times per second to quickly synchronize the rotational speed with that of engine.

With the synchronization, shift time is reduced by 30% from 500ms to 350ms. This not only improves hybrid vehicle’s acceleration performance and fuel economy, but also durability of the transmission by minimizing friction during gear shift.