Patent ID: 8738255

Claim:
A drive system comprising: a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a plurality of spherical planets arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission; a control system coupled to the CVT, the control system comprising: a mechanical actuator coupled to the CVT; a controller configured to be in electrical communication with the mechanical actuator, the controller configured to control the mechanical actuator; a data display configured to be in electrical communication with the controller, the data display having at least one button for selecting from a plurality of operating modes; a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller; and a shifter interface coupled to the actuator motor, the shifter interface configured to adjust the plurality of tiltable spherical planets, wherein the CVT is enclosed in a housing integrated into a wheel of an electric vehicle, the housing adapted to cooperate with the mechanical actuator, and wherein the mechanical actuator is configured to adjust an angle of the tiltable spherical planets based at least in part on one of the plurality of operating modes and on an indication of transmission speed ratio of the CVT.