Is any cyclist actually dim enough to not understand that this is exactly the same as simply changing gears on a regular derailleur?
Actually - it's slightly worse even - this adds extra friction at the crank, adding to the friction already present in the derailleur.
If you're riding a fixie, change your sprocket ratios to get a lighter and less-friction but otherwise identical outcome.

I may be out of line but: "chainrings faster than the crank, reportedly allowing cyclists to deliver more torque at a given cadence"
Wouldn't the chain ring rotating Faster than the crank result in LESS torque transferred to the drive unit... The system FORCES the cyclist to Exert more force on the pedal for a given cadence, resulting in a higher speed
Basically it makes pedalling seem like you are in a higher gear, more speed, less torque (power is unchanged)... (1.4 ratio is the same as swapping a 60 tooth gear for a 84 tooth gear, just a bit more compact.)

Torque and speed vary inversely, but gears take a tax if used to adjust them. Sadly, small changes in bikes work as a placebo for the inventor, masking the problem and keeping him convinced.

If you are going down a steep hill or have a strong tail wind and can't spin fast enough, this would make a higher gear available allowing you to generate more torque. This must be what is meant. You will go about 35 mph with a 52/14 gear and a cadence of 90. The gearing in the article doesn't seem to serve much purpose.

30 years past when I worked for Shimano I picked up their 5 sp internally geared crankset. That combined with a Rolhoff internal rear hub unit allowed me to have a range of gearing that was unbeatable. There were some gears that were only a tenth or to different but who cared. My frame was stolen from my van when I had the cranks off and have never been able to replace the spindle so they sit today as a reminder of glory years past. Shimano has been absolutely no help.

MD, you are absolutely correct. That is exactly the thought I had. US$663 seems like a lot to replace the derailleur with something that does the same job.

As this item has appeared on New Atlas some people will give it credence. This is sad.
It would be far cheaper to fit a chain ring with 44% more teeth, or a rear cassette with a greater number of rings and a greater range.
Posing value would not be as high, though.

Umm....Why?
It's not much less then a Schlumpf drive, which has two gears with better range.
Speed Drive - 1:1 and 1.65 Highspeed Drive - 1:1 and 1:2.5 Mountain 1:1 and a 2.5:1 under-drive.

christopher, bbbut, it's black, and made out of billet titumularium and aluminium and black paint, and it makes you work harder, and it only costs four times what the bicycle did in the first place. What's =not= to love about it?

Agree with all the comments above. This is snake oil and New Atlas should do a better job of filtering this rubbish before giving it oxygen.