Side Color Display from Panasonic: Two Become One

Panasonic has announced a new control unit for ebikes with its system. Already visible on the website, the Side Color Display will be available around June of this year, according to the manufacturer.

Less is more at Panasonic, too

The Side Color Display follows the current trend of reduced, simple control units for an ebike. With it, you should be able to fully operate the e-drive without the handlebars being cluttered with large switches and screens. It combines the functions of a remote control with those of a display.

The pictures published in advance show that the Side Color Display is relatively small and compact and is mounted to the left of the handlebar grip. Its screen measures around 4.5 centimetres diagonally. The unit harmonises with all ebikes that have a GX Power, GX Power Plus and GX Ultimate motor from Panasonic installed. However, there is no backwards compatibility with earlier models.

New wireless interface

Unlike the previous models, the new development has a Bluetooth interface. This opens up the option of connecting to apps like Komoot and Strava. If you plan routes with the help of one of these applications, you can transfer them to your smartphone, for example, and the direction for the next turn is shown directly on the Side Color Display. The control unit also indicates the distance to the upcoming change of direction.

The battery charge status is permanently displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen, and the support level in changing colours in the bottom right-hand corner. Panasonic has chosen a colour for the display for each support level: White means Off, green stands for Eco mode, blue symbolises Standard mode, yellow is synonymous with Auto mode and orange indicates the highest level “High”.

Apart from that, the number of values that are additionally displayed on the screen in the respective views varies. On the speed screen there is only one, on the remaining range screen, for example, there are three. There you can see the state of charge in per cent, the predicted range in kilometres and, in the bottom line on the left, the current driving speed.

More functional than stylish

Overall, the Side Colour Display is clearly laid out. The screen is on the right, while on the left there are two large arrow keys and a narrow vertical key. The latter is the menu button. You use it to select the different modes of the display. At the top edge of the housing there are the buttons for switching the light on and off and for switching the system on. If your ebike is equipped with the above-mentioned motors and a frame battery, you can alternatively activate the system on the battery. If the battery is fully integrated, the control unit is the only remaining option. At the lower edge of the Side Color Display, you will find the button for the walk assistance.

The control unit, which is protected against water and dust with IPX5 protection, offers you the following functions:

• current speed
• maximum speed
• average speed
• odometer
• remaining distance (when driving with navigation)
• distance travelled
• cadence
• riding mode
• display of motor power
• state of charge of the battery

You can choose one of ten languages for the operation. The Side Color Display can be charged via a micro-USB connection.

Panasonic has given the following logic to the riding modes mentioned:

• Off: no motor support, display shows all relevant data
• Eco: effective support for long-distance rides
• Standard: support for any terrain
• Auto: support depending on the input torque of the riders
• High: maximum support

Few users

The important question that remains to be answered is where you might encounter this control unit in the near future. The biggest buyer of Panasonic e-drives, the Swiss manufacturer Flyer, is already out of the picture. It uses the FIT control units developed in-house. However, the two manufacturers Kelly’s and Leader FOX have ebikes with Panasonic systems in their range. So this may be the case there. The price of the Side Color Display is still unknown. Even when asked, Panasonic does not yet give a recommended retail price.

Pictures: Panasonic Industry Europe GmbH