Deseret News | A revolution in transmission technology?

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A revolution in transmission technology?

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RockOn | 7:51 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

This is amazing. Gas savings could be huge. Tell me more!

samhill | 9:01 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Great idea IF it works.

I'm afraid that at my age I've heard so many tales like this that never got past the "gleam in the eye" stage, I've become fairly skeptical.

But, as previously mentioned, it would be GREAT if true.

I hope it is.

Bakra | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Samhill, this has always been the "holy grail" of transmissions. This could potentially make electric or fuel-cell cars a marketable reality. I have heard many other claims as well; therefore I would like to hear more about this to see if it is for real. Hopefully this can reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Tell us more.

Comments continue below

Big E | 10:22 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

Down with OPEC!!!!

Works for Snowmobiles | 11:05 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

This sort of technology is part of the reason snowmobiles are faster than bullet bikes.

Anonymous | 4:02 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Sure would like to know how it works.

Hope it goes. | 4:43 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Having worked in the auto repair industry I always felt there must be better ways of imporving many systems on vehicles, and transmissions was one of them. The technology in transmissions is a hundred years old with minor refinements in controls.

Eliminating clutches and clutch packs in automatics is a major improvement to cost and wear and weight. Then if it eliminates the need for oil that is even a greater savings to oil use. Transmissions in new vehicles cost as much or more than an engine and most require constant maintenance, though most people neglect that maintenance.

They have to be careful though because Japan and China will make every effort to rob this company of its patent rights.

Proof of the pudding | 6:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

is always in the eating. I'm with samhill on this one. There have been many 3-D bridges built in the past that don't meet in the middle. Car manufacturers have been building cars for a long time and I'm not so sure they have the ability to tell anyone what the fuel cost savings will be before they manufacture the car.

In many ways this is like the new 787 Dreamliner from Boeing. It was to be in the air two years ago and now the company won't say when it is going to fly, but, when the announcement finally comes the airplane will have already flown because they can't stand any more bad press.

Long-haul rigs have transmissions good for 1 million miles or more with warranty. When the 'real model' can operate for 1 million miles, it will be new worthy, then the inventor can talk about the fuel savings, if there is any.

A 3-D is a long way from reality. I hope it works!

Jonathan Tyler | 8:12 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

If you understood anything about physics you would understand what a break through this is!! I want one in my car yesterday!

David | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This transmission will change the trucking industry to something very different from where it is today. I can't wait to hear more in the coming months.

Eric | 8:18 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Now this is new. If some OEM grabs it and proves it then Utah will have another first, and not like fusion in a mayonaise jar.

Wow | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It sounds like it's been in the works for many years . . . and is definitely worth trying out on vehicles now. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it even came close to the fuel economy projections? Definitely time to get it into the cars and try it out.

cari1202 | 8:24 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is a story worth following...I hope we hear more as it progresses. We are looking at a revolution in the car and truck industry, not to mention all the other applications, especially in Long-haul rigs.

Dr PBR | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Wow. This could be a breakthrough technology and revolutionary in the transmission industry. The applications are very broad making this technology one to keep an eye on. I hope they continue to disclose the progress they are making.

The proof may be in the eating but the really need some strong strategic alliances to cook up the first batch of pudding.

The designs look very promising so it should translate well into metal. The 3-D CAD puts them at about a 95% probability of success. The fact that there are no unusual or exotic parts (all of the kinds of parts- chains, gears, etc. - have a long performance history) increases the probability of success even higher. I can't wait to see the pudding.

savings is savings | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Even if the savings on fuel ends up being a bit less than projected, isn't savings SAVINGS? If it only saved us 25%, that is worth it to me! Every dime counts in this economy.

Shauna Theobald | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I attended this press conference yesterday to learn more about this transmission. Especially impressive to me was the opinion shared by Elizabeth Goryunova, VP and COO of the Utah World Trade Center and a well-respected physicist. She knows and understands how this will work. That said, this technology will be a major game-changer. I'm excited to see it come into play. It's certainly needed.

June Griffiths | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

With all the focus now on needing increased energy efficiency, making electric cars that really work and the movement towards all things green, I love reading a positive article about people trying to make a difference. Keep them coming and I hope you're going to follow up and keep us informed about this important story. This sounds great and I really hope it works. What a difference it will make for our world.

bob | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Variable transmissions have been on the market for 20 years. they are only slightly better than modern 6 speed transmissions in fuel economy.

Jonathan Tyler | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

If you drive a Nissan you know this sort of technology works. It looks like it's much stronger because it uses a chain instead of a rubber belt. You know what that means...bigger trucks, better gas-mileage. I want this in my Tundra yesterday!!!

cb | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Electric cars do not have or need transmissions. He is basing his mpg claims on computer simulations, that is what Al Gore is doing with global warming. I would be very cautious of his claims.

Colby | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I am very much looking forward to this technology as a way to save me money.

Likewise | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It is somewhat surprising that this kind of advancement hasn't been made before now. I wish these fellows well. We certainly need this kind of energy savings. With those kinds of claims, it should attract incredible interest in the transportation industry.

Bogart | 8:59 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I don't know much about this sort of thing, but it seems too good to be true. Can we really expect to save that much? Is this one of those things that is going to take 10 years or more to actually get into a vehicle? I will be interested to see where this goes...I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will come sooner than later.

Evets | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

From another old man:
I too have seen ideas like this over the decades and I will not hold my breath until it actually is made and proves itself. I do wish them the best but I must remain skeptical until until I see something more substantial.

This is exciting! | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

If this technology is able to take off i will be the best thing since sliced bread. Wouln't it be nice to solve the many problems we have been having with oil prices fluxuating as much as they have. With such an effective transmission that increases power and gas mileage. Wow!

Go Utah | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I love hearing about local technology!

Ash | 9:04 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is a great innovation. It looks like they have solved the holy grail of transmissions. This is almost like someone actually creating a perpetual motion machine. But this is actually more possible, because they don't have to break any laws of energy consumption, as a perpetual motion machine does.

I can't wait to get one in my car, my snowmobile, my boat, my work truck, my motorcycle, my bike, my ...

Ash | 9:07 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Oh, if they have a working CAD model that the CAD program says will work, it is 99.999% sure to work in the real world. The strides we've collectively made in computer aided drawings are so good that it is very close to real-world situations, and actually there are things that would probably work in the real world that the CAD programs say should not, so their level of discernment is even higher than in the real world.

TGraves | 9:17 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It's amazing to think that no matter how good we think we've got it, there is always the potential for something better. I hope this gets the attention it deserves to see if this dream can become a reality to benefit us all! Thanks for hanging in there.

Ash | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Electric cars rely on a very expensive controller to vary the speed. If they could use an infinitely variably transmission that costs a few hundred dollars instead of a $2-3,000 controller, the price of an electric car now becomes feasible for many more people. This will be a boon for the electric car industry.

Josh | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I hope the best for them. I have a lot of questions about the technology, however, I am sure VMT has thought and answered all of them, at this point in the development. I'm excited to see where they will be in 3-5 years.

Dustin Hansen | 9:23 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is ground breaking. I have a Nissian and think the CVT transmission is great but I can tell that it has a rubber belt and not very powerful this transmission seems to solve a lot of the problems Nissian and other car manufactures are having with CVT transmissions.

Don't smoke | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It has caught my attention. This would be nice to replace my Chevy transmission that is more fragile than glass.

TDK | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Variable transmission technology has been one of the main focus points of the product and development depts of the auto industry for years. A true infinitely variable transmission would mean endless possibilities and applications in our world of transportation(i.e. autos, planes, marine, military, etc...) This is a very exciting breakthrough! Time will prove their claims.

sounds promising | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I love the idea. This country was built on innovations that start small like this and grow into something the whole world can use and improves the lives of others. If this technology can be proven, and coupled with other improvements that are in the works in the Auto/Transportation industry this will provide a boost to the economy and the environment and those are our biggest problems right now. Is this company public? it would be nice to be able to invest in this.

RH | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This seems like a great revolutionary technology, congratulations!

SharonW | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I would love to have this today in my Yukon. I wish this and other smart innovations could actually make it to the market. I will be interested in watching their progress. Good luck and full speed ahead!

Anonymous | 10:01 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This will be great, but will we ever see it hit the market?

Barbie | 10:11 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Great news!! and perfect timing. We need a low cost American made product that will over turn the high costs of oil/ gas/ maintenance.. Any savings we can get that has a long term benefit? we should be racing to the finish line.

Miker | 10:15 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Okay, so lets see someone who writes, "My dad is the chief engineer for XYZ automobile company, and he says if it can do half of what they claim, it will be huge -- so of course we'll give it a try."

Jason Davis | 10:16 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is amazing. It is great to know that in these times, there are still people like Gary Lee that care about the little guy. I am all for saving money on gas, which would lessen our dependence on OPEC. Good Luck Gary and CVT. I hope that it all comes together in a timely manner, so that the public can benefit from your hard work!!

Sundance Kid | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

From what the vmt reps are saying this transmission has the potential to replace controllers in electric vehicles and hybrids because it is a infintely variable transmission. It would regulate the power from the batteries to the engine. This could be a huge cost savings because controllers can be half the cost of an electric vehicle.

KimberlyS | 10:28 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

What an AMAZING invention. I cant wait to hear more about it!!

Not tech savvy | 10:56 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Even though I'm not tech savvy this sounds like a great break through ...I'm excited to learn more about it and how soon it can be put into trucks and cars.

Sandee Davis | 11:09 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is amazing! It is sad that it may take up to two years to accomplish this! We need it now! I bet if it were put in the right hands, it could be done in quicker time. This is innovative, and definately beats the heck out of the old transmissions,... no more belt blowing.
Sandee Davis

BWebb | 11:23 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I love the idea! I would love my SUV to have that type of gas savings without forfeiting power! These are the types of technologies we need to take a closer look at!

Nat | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It’s ingenuity like this that has made America great. Weather it works or not, the fact that we have an economic climate that encourages innovation in huge. This is an important step toward freedom from oil dependency. I found more information on this transmission and the inventor on you tube.

Stud Muffin | 11:49 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I hope this works! I know little about cars, but this transmission seems to be a great idea. Keep it up! Wish you guys the best!

June | 12:06 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I found their website and took a look at some videos of Gary Lee talking about the transmission. It also shows all the applications that will benefit from this invention including electric and hybrid cars, heavy equipment, long haul trucks, trains, ships, tanks and more. Pretty cool potential here.

smurfett | 12:40 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

sounds like this technology can really hep us out!!!

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2 photos

Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

A computer-aided drawing of the transmission, described as an "infinitely variable transmission with an engaged neutral." It employs a metal chain instead of a rubber belt.

Gallery (2 photos)