"Freegen", regen for ebikes that finally has all the answers?

[GlenMcD]

Here is a youtube video on "Freegen" which on the surface appears to have what it takes to make regen actual practical on ebikes.
I have heard that due to the low mass of ebikes, that regen just isn't worth it, but could new technology / method change that?
What I see here is an extremely elegant solution that if not "worth it" on ebikes themselves, perhaps may find its way into larger vehicles.

 

[Mabman]

As this tech is only applicable to hub motors I don't think it will have any effect on the EMTB population. Although I have always wanted to put a small hub motor on the front of a MTB to create a two wheel drive type scenario which would benefit from FreeGen. Not necessary for automobiles as they are much heavier and regen is easy to recover conventionally whereas bicycles are much lighter and don't benefit as much but they do some and most importantly in saving on brake pads due to its braking function and for that alone I feel regen is worth it.

GRIN however is about as committed to hub motors as can be and will be making FreeGen perform to its utmost but will benefit commuter and road bikes primarily. I have a bike with their in house front hub motor that is able to fit into any dropout from 10mm skewer to 25mm thru axle and it works really well and was a revolution when it first appeared as there weren't any thru axle compatible hub motors until its inception.

Will be interested to see what they ultimately come up with and if they will keep it open source or patent the tech?