How NTN Europe helps accelerate innovation at CIXI

An exceptional partner that arrives at the right moment

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​NTN Europe is the world leader in high-precision products for movement, fully committed to the research and development of more efficient, safer, and more sustainable mobility. Their expertise in mechatronics and engineering know-how enables them to offer premium high-tech solutions adapted to market needs.

In 2020, NTN Europe launched the "Innovative Company Accelerator", a new program that opens the way for discussion and collaboration on markets, products, and strategies, and increases the range of possibilities for evolving markets such as mobility in times of fast-paced changes and full ecological awareness. This program enables start-ups to benefit from first-in-class experience in design, development, and industrialization and provides access to a strong network of partners for commercialization.

At the end of 2022, CIXI’s project aiming to develop a haptic pedal technology (the PERS) and an intermediate, metropolitan electric vehicle capable of traveling in the city center as well as on ring roads (the Vigoz), was selected to be part of the program. A partnering which comes at the very best moment to accelerate the industrialization process of these solutions while benefitting from the expertise of a world-leading engineering company.

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Bernard Liatard, Responsible Recherche & Réseaux chez NTN-SNR - Christophe Nicot, Vice President NTN SNR - CTO Directeur Recherche Innovation Developpement Europe - Pierre Francis, CEO Co-founder CIXI. At CIXI's new Plant in Poisy, France

​According to Christophe Nicot, Director of Research Innovation Development at NTN Europe, the ambition of this program is to bring about changes in the world by accompanying companies that are themselves actors of change, as is CIXI with its Active mobility solutions. With the Accelerator Program, NTN Europe helps innovative companies move faster to the industrialization phase of their solutions.

The relationship with NTN Europe was complementary because our companies both work on innovative products and NTN Europe brought a strong expertise on the new application of bearings. The motivation of the NTN Europe team was simply amazing. They were so excited about CIXI’s products and company. It’s been a great experience”, comments Nicolas Ohlmann, Co-Founder & CTO at CIXI. And as Christophe Nicot underlines it : “it really is a win-win experience. Start-ups indeed accelerate NTN as much as NTN can accelerate them.

Driven by a common vision and shared philosophy

NTN Europe is deeply inspired by the Japanese principle of "Nameraka", which can be translated as "make the world turn smoother". This philosophy seamlessly merges technology, expertise in friction management, and a distinctive worldview that emphasizes the fluidity of movement and harmonious integration with the environment.

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NTN-SNR is making the world Nameraka. Key visual

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At CIXI, we also want to change the world for the better. We want to make the path the objective, providing people with innovative and pleasant means of transport that foster healthy daily habits and help everyone regain both physical and mental health, thus developing a positive state of mind. Well-being indeed paves the way for a happier society, in which greater environmental awareness can spontaneously arise.

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Both CIXI, whose philosophy aims at integrating physical activity into daily life, activating mobility, and creating wonder moments, and NTN Europe, committed to excellence, visionary leadership, and a forward-thinking approach, want to play an active role in building a positive form of mobility.
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NTN Europe Booth during Eurobike 2023, presenting its Innovative Bussiness Accelerator Program

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Their common goal is to find the right balance between developing business models using new technologies and creating innovative products (like PERS and Vigoz) and to help greater respect for people's lifestyle and their environment emerge.

Industrialization... not just about bearings

After seven years of R&D, CIXI is now about to move into the industrialization phase thanks to a fruitful collaboration with NTN Europe, whose technical expertise on bearings, sealing, and lubrication for instance, was of great insight for CIXI.

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​Siegfried Ruhland, Innovation Project Manager - Mobility Team, NTN Europe
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"The choice was made to work with CIXI on several themes, from gears to material dimensions, as we know metal well since we are bearings manufacturers. Our specialists from the metallurgical laboratory also provided assistance in sealing expertise. We're very satisfied with this collaboration and we see the results already, which is thrilling.”

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On top of that, the collaboration between NTN Europe and CIXI has already proven to be transformative, granting CIXI direct and proactive access to NTN Europe's local and European teams. CIXI thus benefits from crucial advice in terms of business development and global strategy(engineering & production, marketing, HR, …). Beyond covering technical aspects, this exciting partnership has enabled CIXI and NTN Europe to build strong and valuable relationships at all levels and reflect on new solutions. In this context, CIXI and NTN Europe joined forces at the Eurobike event in Frankfort last June to talk about the Acceleration Program and encourage other innovative companies to enroll.