Most transmissions have a defined number of discrete gears, and must be provided with a means to disengage the transmission from the motor such as a clutch or a torque converter. An infinitely variable transmission is a type of transmission which delivers a stepless ratio range from neutral all the way through to the highest available ratio by moving one single control. It has always been recognized that a practicable infinitely variable transmission represents one of the Holy Grails of engineering. To be practicable an infinitely variable transmission needs to be simple, robust, easy to manufacture, and scalable. Until now no such device has been invented.
A practical infinitely variable transmission is more than just a better transmission, doing the same job better; certainly it can replace the automobile transmission, but this is a tiny portion of its potential. It is a universal mechanical speed and torque controller.