Matthew has developed an automatic transmission for a bicycle which replaces the front derailleur with a torque converter driven by a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
This allows the gearing to shift to a 1.5:1 ratio when more torque is applied to the pedals, for example when the rider encounters a hill, and then shifts back once the difficult section is completed.
The parts for this bike were all machined by Matthew himself and have been constructed from solid metal, although this has resulted in a rather heavy drivetrain compared to traditional chain and derailleur bikes.
Other examples of recent advancements in bicycling transmission include folding mechanical drivetrains and all-electric ones.
However, the standard chain and derailleur system is an “optimal design” and it will take a major breakthrough in technology to replace it.
