A university in central Taiwan's Changhua County unveiled on Wednesday a new electric bicycle that overcomes the limitations of traditional bicycles and improves on the functions of electric models on the market. Shyu Jia-ming, a professor in Chienkuo Technology University's Department of Automation Engineering, said the electric bicycle still has pedals but is otherwise configured differently than traditional bikes, with motors on both wheels replacing the usual chain and derailleur. This new design means riders will no longer have to worry about loose or broken bicycle chains and enables them to recharge the rechargeable lithium iron phosphate batteries through a small generator as they pedal, unlike with most other electric models, Shyu said. Another unique feature is that riders can adjust speeds when they run the bicycle on electric power, said Shyu, who headed a team from the university's College of Engineering in developing the product. The new electric bicycle has incorporated other special functions that add to rider convenience and safety. The handle can be warmed up with a built-in control, and the LED headlight can be automatically adjusted according to the distance of objects in front of the bike. Also, a touchscreen control panel on the handlebar has a GPS system, speedometer, anti-theft device and a system to prevent drunk cyclists from riding. Shyu said the university has already registered several patents related to the electric bicycle, and he expects the product will be further improved by making it lighter and more polished once manufacturers gear up to sell it commercially. 