Japan-based cleantech startup Hello Space is heading to CES 2026 with an ambitious claim: it has built a pedal-powered charging system for e-bikes that generates electricity without the magnetic resistance that typically makes regenerative setups impractical for everyday riders.
The system, called MAG DRIVE, is designed to reduce and, in some cases, potentially eliminate the need for frequent external charging, a long-standing operational headache for bike-sharing platforms, delivery fleets, and fitness-focused e-mobility products.
A different take on regenerative charging
At the core of MAG DRIVE is what Hello Space describes as a patented semi-superconducting regenerative drive system. Unlike conventional regenerative motors, which introduce noticeable drag when converting motion into electricity, MAG DRIVE is engineered to avoid magnetic resistance while charging a battery through pedaling.
The unit combines a generator, gearbox, power control board, pedals, crankshaft, sensors, and two onboard batteries into a system that mounts to the bike’s mid-hub and connects to standard in-wheel motors.
Under normal riding conditions, Hello Space says MAG DRIVE produces 100 to 250 watts of power. The dual-battery setup automatically alternates between charging and discharging: when one battery drops below a preset threshold, the system switches to the other, allowing the depleted battery to recharge. Each battery is claimed to reach full charge within two to three hours of riding.
From CES demo to commercial rollout
Hello Space has been developing MAG DRIVE since 2021 in collaboration with Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics Group, first unveiling the concept publicly at CES 2022. At CES 2026, the startup plans to showcase the technology inside what it calls the world’s first self-powering “Smart E-bike” and “Smart Spin Bike” at the Japan Pavilion and CES Unveiled.
The company is also laying the groundwork for commercialization. Hello Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian EV manufacturer XERO (Anantshree Vehicle Pvt. Ltd) to co-develop smart e-bikes using the MAG DRIVE system. Under the agreement, Hello Space will supply the technology, while XERO will handle manufacturing and global distribution.
The partners are targeting a 2026 launch, with early deployments aimed at bike-sharing services, delivery EVs, and fitness bikes.
Why the industry is watching
E-bike adoption continues to accelerate globally, but charging infrastructure, especially for shared fleets, remains a costly and labor-intensive bottleneck. A system that can meaningfully extend range and reduce charging cycles without compromising ride quality would have clear operational upside.
Still, MAG DRIVE’s biggest questions remain unanswered: real-world efficiency, long-term durability, and unit economics at scale. Those factors will determine whether Hello Space’s technology becomes a niche innovation — or a meaningful shift in how electric micromobility is powered.
For now, CES 2026 will be the company’s biggest test yet.
