A lightweight, portable design, realistic haptic feedback, and a wide range of sounds make it easy to bring the joy of drumming into everyday life.
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a gift that's a little different and inspires a new interest? Aeroband is introducing PocketDrum 2 Ultra, a portable drumming experience that brings the joy of playing drums into everyday life. Without the space required for a traditional drum kit, it lets people explore rhythm at home, on the go, or while hanging out with friends—adding a creative spark to everyday moments.
Discover PocketDrum 2 Ultra: https://www.aeroband.net/products/pocketdrum-2-ultra?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=kol&utm_campaign=pd2u_launch_2026
Your Drum Kit, To Go
Traditional drum kits require dedicated space, but PocketDrum 2 Ultra offers a more flexible way to enjoy drumming. Each stick weighs just 58 grams (about 2 oz)—roughly the weight of an egg—making the set easy to slip into a backpack and take along.
Whether it's a get-together at a friend's house, a trip away, or a little downtime at home, PocketDrum 2 Ultra makes it easier to explore rhythm wherever life takes you. Drumming no longer has to be limited to a dedicated music room; it can become part of everyday life.
Feel Every Hit
Drumming is about more than keeping time—it's about the feel of every hit. PocketDrum 2 Ultra features 127-level dynamic response, capturing the difference between a gentle tap and a powerful strike for a more expressive playing experience.
Built-in haptic feedback adds a physical response to each strike, helping make the virtual playing experience feel more immediate and engaging.
With high-frequency motion sensing at up to 8,000 Hz, PocketDrum 2 Ultra captures rapid changes in stick movement and orientation to support responsive strike recognition.
For music lovers, it offers another way to experiment with beats and express themselves through rhythm. It's not about mastering an instrument overnight; it's about making music more approachable and giving people a fun way to explore a new interest.
Pick a Kit. Find Your Groove.
From classic drum sounds and electronic beats to soothing, singing-bowl-inspired tones, PocketDrum 2 Ultra features 12 built-in sound kits and more than 100 preset grooves, giving players plenty of sounds and styles to explore.
Want to play along with a rhythm? Try Auto Groove mode. Prefer to experiment on your own? Free Play mode lets you explore different drum and cymbal sounds. Whether you're discovering new sounds, enjoying a quick rhythm break, or looking for inspiration for your next musical idea, there's plenty to try.
Play Loud. Stay Quiet.
Feel like playing a few beats late at night, but the family is already asleep? Live in an apartment and want to enjoy drumming without worrying about the neighbors hearing every hit? In situations like these, a traditional drum kit isn't always practical.
PocketDrum 2 Ultra delivers digital drum sounds through headphones, making it easier to enjoy drumming in the living room, bedroom, or during a quiet moment at night—without filling the room with the acoustic sounds of drumheads and cymbals. Whether it's a creative break after work or some personal music time while a roommate sleeps, players can enjoy their own rhythm with greater flexibility.
From Casual Play to Creative Possibilities
Beyond everyday play, PocketDrum 2 Ultra offers latency as low as 12 milliseconds and supports Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI via USB-C connectivity. For creators, Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI via USB-C allow PocketDrum 2 Ultra to work as a lightweight rhythm input for compatible DAWs, turning spontaneous beat ideas into editable MIDI data that can be developed further in a production workflow.
The companion app also lets users record audio or video performances, save favorite moments, and share them with friends or fellow music enthusiasts on social media.
Whether it's a first step into rhythm, a fun holiday gift, or a lightweight way to capture a musical idea, PocketDrum 2 Ultra is designed to make drumming easier to bring into everyday life.
Availability and Early-Bird Offer
Aeroband PocketDrum 2 Ultra launches on October 20, 2026, with a suggested retail price of $189. From October 20 through October 31, consumers can claim a $40 early-bird coupon. During the early-bird launch window, PocketDrum 2 Ultra hits the holiday sweet spot for music fans, gadget lovers, teens, families and anyone who has ever wanted to try drumming without clearing space for a traditional kit.
Discover PocketDrum 2 Ultra: https://www.aeroband.net/products/pocketdrum-2-ultra?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=kol&utm_campaign=pd2u_launch_2026
About Aeroband
Aeroband is dedicated to empowering everyone to play music through innovative products that make musical experiences more accessible.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Aeroband Introduces PocketDrum 2 Ultra, Bringing a Portable Drum Experience Anywhere, Anytime
BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CATL today unveiled the innovative dual-electric range extension battery and the latest generation of heavy-duty battery-swapping solution to accelerate the electrification of road freight transportation.
Competition in electric heavy-duty trucking is moving beyond technical specifications toward full-lifecycle value. While battery swapping has made energy replenishment faster and more predictable, concerns about battery utilization, operating costs and residual vehicle value continue to affect fleet economics.
To address these challenges, CATL combines its dual-electric range extension battery with QIJI's strategy of standardization, new infrastructure and a full commercial ecosystem, bringing battery swapping and industry-wide collaboration together to accelerate heavy-duty truck electrification.
A Dual-Electric Approach to Range Extension
CATL's dual-electric range extension battery combines two independent yet complementary battery systems.
The main battery uses QIJI's standardized chassis-mounted swappable battery to maximize efficiency. A behind-the-cab range-extension power system, currently equipped with a 77kWh battery capable of 3C charging, provides backup power. Together, the systems maintain uninterrupted power delivery and provide redundancy for demanding operating conditions.
- Dual-System Power Redundancy
In conventional battery-swapping trucks, drivers often return for a swap with unused capacity because they are reluctant to run the battery low. Backup power from the range-extension battery increases the main battery's depth of discharge (DOD) from approximately 70% to over 95%, allowing it to be returned at less than 5% state of charge (SOC). At this threshold, CATL's seamless switching technology transfers power delivery to the range-extension battery within milliseconds, maintaining a continuous and stable power supply.
In conventional battery-swapping trucks, drivers often return for a swap with unused capacity because they are reluctant to run the battery low. Backup power from the range-extension battery increases the main battery's depth of discharge (DOD) from approximately 70% to over 95%, allowing it to be returned at less than 5% state of charge (SOC). At this threshold, CATL's seamless switching technology transfers power delivery to the range-extension battery within milliseconds, maintaining a continuous and stable power supply.
- "1+X" Architecture and Independent Upgrades
The system uses a "1+X" architecture. One standardized main battery maintains compatibility with the QIJI battery-swapping network, while the range-extension battery can be customized for specific conditions with options including ultra-high energy density, low-temperature resistance for cold climates, or ultra-high power.
The two battery systems can be developed and upgraded independently to meet their respective technical and operational requirements.
The system uses a "1+X" architecture. One standardized main battery maintains compatibility with the QIJI battery-swapping network, while the range-extension battery can be customized for specific conditions with options including ultra-high energy density, low-temperature resistance for cold climates, or ultra-high power.
The two battery systems can be developed and upgraded independently to meet their respective technical and operational requirements.
- Flexible Leasing and Battery Asset Management
The independently owned on-board range-extension battery stays with the vehicle as an asset throughout its service life, reducing reliance on immediate access to a swapping station. The main battery can be leased according to seasonal freight demand, helping fleets reduce rental costs during quieter periods and manage battery assets more flexibly.
This architecture combines the benefits of standardization with flexible vehicle configurations, making electric heavy-duty trucks more practical and economically viable across a wider range of applications.
The independently owned on-board range-extension battery stays with the vehicle as an asset throughout its service life, reducing reliance on immediate access to a swapping station. The main battery can be leased according to seasonal freight demand, helping fleets reduce rental costs during quieter periods and manage battery assets more flexibly.
This architecture combines the benefits of standardization with flexible vehicle configurations, making electric heavy-duty trucks more practical and economically viable across a wider range of applications.
QIJI Builds a Shared Battery Swapping Ecosystem
QIJI complements these improvements with a three-pillar strategy of standardization, new infrastructure and a full commercial ecosystem. It seeks to speed heavy-duty truck electrification with a value-chain ecosystem co-created by all stakeholders, where benefits are shared collectively.
- Standardization Supports Wider Adoption
To accommodate a wider range of truck models and operating conditions, QIJI has introduced the 260# (432 kWh) and 300# (513 kWh) standardized battery-swapping blocks alongside the existing 75# block.
The system enables battery swaps in just five minutes, with a 99.99% first-time success rate, helping fleets minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency.
QIJI has also pioneered a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model in which customers pay for the net energy charged rather than the energy discharged. This allows customers to retain the value of energy recovered through regenerative braking, reducing per-kWh battery rental costs for users on basic plans by up to 20%. Flexible battery leasing options allow customers to tailor rental periods to their needs, from second-hand vehicle transitions to seasonal demand. This will minimize idle costs and offer more flexible options for off-season downtime, further helping fleets manage operating costs.
To accommodate a wider range of truck models and operating conditions, QIJI has introduced the 260# (432 kWh) and 300# (513 kWh) standardized battery-swapping blocks alongside the existing 75# block.
The system enables battery swaps in just five minutes, with a 99.99% first-time success rate, helping fleets minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency.
QIJI has also pioneered a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model in which customers pay for the net energy charged rather than the energy discharged. This allows customers to retain the value of energy recovered through regenerative braking, reducing per-kWh battery rental costs for users on basic plans by up to 20%. Flexible battery leasing options allow customers to tailor rental periods to their needs, from second-hand vehicle transitions to seasonal demand. This will minimize idle costs and offer more flexible options for off-season downtime, further helping fleets manage operating costs.
- New Infrastructure Improves Resource Efficiency
QIJI aims to make better use of four critical resources in long-haul freight: time, land, payload capacity and grid electricity. Rapid battery swapping reduces waiting times, while efficient station layouts serve more vehicles within the same footprint. Battery capacity is matched to transport needs, and centralized, coordinated charging makes better use of grid electricity. These measures aim to improve both resource efficiency and operational returns.
CATL plans to deploy 900 battery-swapping stations by the end of 2026 and 2,000 by 2027, with a long-term target of 10,000 stations nationwide in collaboration with its partners.
By connecting major freight corridors through a coordinated swapping network, QIJI aims to improve the efficiency and commercial viability of electric heavy-duty trucking.
QIJI aims to make better use of four critical resources in long-haul freight: time, land, payload capacity and grid electricity. Rapid battery swapping reduces waiting times, while efficient station layouts serve more vehicles within the same footprint. Battery capacity is matched to transport needs, and centralized, coordinated charging makes better use of grid electricity. These measures aim to improve both resource efficiency and operational returns.
CATL plans to deploy 900 battery-swapping stations by the end of 2026 and 2,000 by 2027, with a long-term target of 10,000 stations nationwide in collaboration with its partners.
By connecting major freight corridors through a coordinated swapping network, QIJI aims to improve the efficiency and commercial viability of electric heavy-duty trucking.
- A Commercial Ecosystem Supports the Full Vehicle Lifecycle
QIJI connects truck manufacturers, financial institutions, insurers, channel partners and aftermarket service providers across the vehicle lifecycle, from purchase and operation to maintenance and resale, working together to build a comprehensive ecosystem of integrated products and services.
QIJI has introduced two partnership models: Battery Asset Service Partners and Energy Replenishment Service Partners. These models allow partners to participate in battery asset services and energy replenishment, extending their role beyond one-off vehicle sales to ongoing operations.
Through this integrated ecosystem, QIJI aims to turn the costs of the low-carbon transition into new growth opportunities, enabling stakeholders across the value chain to share the benefits of the new-energy era.
QIJI connects truck manufacturers, financial institutions, insurers, channel partners and aftermarket service providers across the vehicle lifecycle, from purchase and operation to maintenance and resale, working together to build a comprehensive ecosystem of integrated products and services.
QIJI has introduced two partnership models: Battery Asset Service Partners and Energy Replenishment Service Partners. These models allow partners to participate in battery asset services and energy replenishment, extending their role beyond one-off vehicle sales to ongoing operations.
Through this integrated ecosystem, QIJI aims to turn the costs of the low-carbon transition into new growth opportunities, enabling stakeholders across the value chain to share the benefits of the new-energy era.
"The combination of the dual-electric range extension battery and QIJI battery swapping offers the best solution for electrifying heavy-duty trucks," said Jesse Yang, CEO of QIJI Energy.
New Batteries and Industry Partnerships
The initiative has also gained commercial traction, with agreements signed for 13,000 units at the event.
Aside from the dual-electric solution, CATL also introduced a new lineup of heavy-duty truck batteries tailored to different vehicle configurations and operating requirements at the event. The lineup includes rear-mounted ultra-light and ultra-thin batteries for weight- and space-sensitive applications, as well as chassis-mounted solutions for short-haul and long-haul operations.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
CATL Unveils Dual-Electric Range Extension Battery to Accelerate Electric Heavy-Duty Truck Adoption
CATL Unveils Dual-Electric Range Extension Battery to Accelerate Electric Heavy-Duty Truck Adoption
CATL Unveils Dual-Electric Range Extension Battery to Accelerate Electric Heavy-Duty Truck Adoption
