Hyundai Shows Off World’s First Active Shift Control Gearbox for Hybrids

Hyundai appears to be on a roll with its technological advancements recently. After unveiling the world's first Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) engine that the South Korean brand developed in-house, it is now showing off another innovation.

The Active Shift Control (ASC) transmission technology, specially designed for hybrid cars, optimizes transmission efficiency by monitoring gear shifts up to 500 times per second. This is made possible with the incorporation of a new control logic software to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU). The result is more precise adjustments of the transmission rotation speed, and more accurate shift responses.

According to Hyundai, the new technology is able to reduce gear shift time by 30 percent, delivering smoother shifts despite the quicker times. This is especially useful for hybrids, which typically lack torque converters that improve fuel economy, along with requiring delayed shift times to smoothen out gear changes.

"The development of world's first ASC technology is a remarkable innovation which incorporates precise motor control to automatic transmission," said KyoungJoon Chang, vice president and head of Powertrain Control System Group of Hyundai Motor Group. "It will not only save fuel but also provide a more fun driving experience for our customers."

The 30-percent shift time reduction brings down gear synchronization from 500ms to 350ms. This benefits the hybrid vehicle's acceleration, performance, and fuel economy, while also impacting the transmission system's durability, as friction during shifts is kept minimal.

Hyundai's ASC technology will make its first appearance in the upcoming Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.