The National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) is collaborating with Taiwan's second-largest bicycle company, Merida Industry Co (美利達工業), to develop solar-powered bicycles, which are expected to hit the market in March, a university executive said on Sunday.
Approximately 90 percent of the undertaking has been completed and the entire program is likely to be finished as scheduled after some modifications, according to Ai Ho-chang (艾和昌), director of the KUAS' Graduate Institute of Applied Science and chief executive of the Southern Solar School established by the Ministry of Education at the university.
Ai said that the university is in charge of the design, research and development and trials of the bicycles, and is engaged in negotiations with Merida on matters concerning patent rights.
He said that Merida is planning to set up manufacturing factories in China to pave the way for the mass production of the new bikes.
Meanwhile, the 2007 National Solar-Powered Model Car Race organized by the Southern Solar School was held on Sunday in Kaohsiung, bringing together 41 teams from 21 colleges and universities nationwide.
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