The idea was first developed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. Various studies was started in 2004 and in 2005 NTNU Technology Transfer received funding from Norsk Hydro (now StatoilHydro) and the Innovation fund at NTNU (funded by a consortium of industrial players) to build a 50 kW prototype transmission.

Experiences from the 50 kW prototype transmission and the various technical studies lead to the development of a 300 kW prototype transmission. This prototype was build in 2006/2007 and tested in a diesel driven test bench at Mantena AS in Trondheim.