Improve safety and user experience with tire pressure monitoring system
Accelerate development of edge AI functions running on STM32 MCUs with STM32Cube.AI

STMicroelectronics (ST) is supporting the introduction of AI into Panasonic Cycle Technology (Panasonic)'s electric-assist bicycle.

ST announced on the 8th that it is supplying STM32F3 MCU and edge AI development tool STM32Cube.AI for Panasonic's TiMO A electric-assist bicycle.

ST’s Edge AI solution provides a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that leverages advanced AI capabilities to enhance rider safety and convenience.

The Timo A, an electric commuter bike, runs an AI application on an STM32F3 MCU to infer tire pressure without using a pressure sensor.

The system generates an alert when tires need airing based on information from the motor and bicycle speed sensors.

Using ST’s edge AI development tool, STM32Cube.AI, Panasonic was able to implement this edge AI function while fitting into the STM32F3’s built-in memory space.

This new feature simplifies maintenance of tire pressure.It improves rider safety and extends the life of tires and other bicycle components.

Additionally, it reduces costs and simplifies design because no additional hardware such as air pressure sensors is required.

“By combining STM32F3 MCUs and STM32Cube.AI, we were able to implement innovative AI capabilities without any hardware changes,” said Hiroyuki KAMO, Manager of Software Development Division, Development Department, Panasonic Corporation. “By leveraging ST’s edge AI solutions, we will continue to increase the number of models with AI functions and strive to achieve Panasonic’s goals.”

“ST has been actively working to accelerate Edge AI worldwide, across both hardware and software, and is providing Edge AI solutions for a wide range of products, including industrial and consumer equipment,” said Marc Dupaquier, General Manager, AI Solutions Division, STMicroelectronics. “This collaboration represents an important step forward in these efforts, and we are pleased to support Panasonic in enabling the first implementation of AI capabilities in an electric-assist bicycle.”

ST will showcase its edge AI solutions, including STM32 MCUs and various AI development tools, at AI Expo, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan from May 22 to 24.

Also on display at the expo will be an electric-assist bicycle and motor unit (cutaway sample) from Panasonic Cycle Technology featuring STM32F3 MCUs and STM32Cube.AI.