Reporting from Taichung, Taiwan: Nestled in Taichung, Taiwan – often hailed as the “Heart of Asia” – lies a pivotal, yet perhaps lesser-known, institution driving innovation in two rapidly evolving sectors: cycling and health technology. The Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center (CHC), a non-profit organisation co-founded by the government and industry in 1992, has quietly become a global force, assisting manufacturers in developing cutting-edge products and shaping industry standards.

At its core, CHC’s mission is multifaceted: to serve as an innovative design service platform for bicycles, conduct extensive R&D in bicycle and manufacturing technologies, establish crucial industry standards, provide rigorous testing and certification services, and cultivate future talent for these dynamic fields.

A Hub of Expertise and Advanced Testing
What truly sets CHC apart is its deep well of human expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. With a team of 99 employees, an impressive 55% hold Master’s degrees, and a significant 46% boast over a decade of experience. Their specialties span mechanical engineering, material science, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, and design, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern product development.

Taiwan Launches Global Challenge: “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025” Seeks Innovative Health Solutions

This intellectual capital is matched by an array of 12 specialised R&D labs. From the Material Analysis Lab and Medical Performance Lab to the Smart Machines Lab and Electrically Power Assisted Cycle Lab, CHC covers every facet of bicycle and health tech development. Their commitment to quality is evident in their international accreditations from bodies like TÜV SÜD, UL, TAF (Taiwan Accreditation Foundation), and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC-MRA), ensuring their testing and certification services meet global benchmarks.

Driving Innovation: From Olympic Tracks to Everyday Wellness
CHC’s innovative spirit is visible in a range of compelling product examples:

1. E-handcycle: A testament to inclusive design, this electrically power-assisted, foldable, and lightweight handcycle is specifically crafted for disabled individuals, offering them enhanced mobility and leisure opportunities. Its design incorporates aerodynamic principles with CAD and CAE simulated analysis.
2. Track Bike for Olympic Athletes: Showcasing high-performance engineering, this track bike is designed for low wind resistance and high stiffness, giving elite athletes a competitive edge.
3. Functional Learning Pushbike: A multi-patterned kid’s bike made from bent wood, it transforms into a rocking horse, baby walker, pushbike, or traditional kid’s bike, adapting to a child’s growth from one to seven years old.
4. CHC Climber (Indoor Training System): This innovative trainer simulates outdoor riding by incorporating inclinations and vibrations, mimicking asphalt, brick, gravel, plank-road, and off-road scenarios. It’s compatible with any FTMS (Fitness Machine Service Protocol) supported trainers or software, offering simulated slopes of +20% to -10%.
5. The Handcycle 2.0: An advanced version featuring torque assistance for starting, integrated safety detection and warning systems, dual disc brakes, an adjustable seat position with lower span height, and a dual-battery system.

Beyond individual products, CHC is actively pushing boundaries in broader technological themes like Electrification & Connection (especially for e-bikes) and Smart Manufacturing. Their smart manufacturing initiatives leverage technologies such as APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling), IR (Industrial Revolution), CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems), M2M (Machine-to-Machine), IoT (Internet of Things), Traceability, Cloud, and Big Data.

Fostering Sustainability and Global Collaboration
CHC’s influence extends far beyond product development. They organise the International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC), which has run for 25 editions, fostering global participation and developing future industry talent. They also play a crucial role in promoting sustainability. As the Secretariat of the Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability (BAS), established in 2022 with major manufacturers like GIANT, MERIDA, and KMC as members, CHC drives efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero transformation within the bicycle industry. This includes conducting seed personnel training and carbon footprint assessments.

“Our new R&D project integrates the human-bicycle-environment interface, resonating with the ‘Go Healthy with Taiwan‘ initiative,” states a CHC representative, highlighting their commitment to holistic health solutions. The center actively engages with international partners, fostering cooperative ties with associations across Europe, the U.S., and Japan. They regularly exchange information and participate in major international exhibitions like EUROBIKE 2025, where they will deliver keynote speeches on health and bicycle technology trends. CHC is also a member of influential international associations such as Cycling Industries Europe (CIE), LEVA-EU, CAN in Automation (CiA), People For Bikes (USA), LEVA (USA), and JBPI (Japan).

The Future: Smart, Sustainable, and AI-Driven
Taiwan’s bicycle industry, largely clustered in the central region, is known for its export-oriented focus on mid-to-high-end products. With an annual production value of approximately $4.8 billion (2024 data), Taiwan remains a significant player. However, the industry faces the challenge of transitioning from traditional manufacturing to mechatronic integration and AI-driven intelligence.

CHC identifies intelligentisation, electrification, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) trends as primary influencing factors for the future. They are actively developing smart products, open communication protocols, advanced testing technologies, and environmentally friendly materials. “Achieving net-zero emissions and addressing issues related to environmental sustainability have become the primary challenges faced today,” a CHC spokesperson noted.

Through its extensive R&D, adherence to global standards, commitment to sustainability, and strategic international collaborations, the Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center (CHC) continues to solidify Taiwan’s position as a global leader, powering the next generation of healthier and more technologically advanced cycling and health solutions.

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The HUAWEI WATCH Series is not updated every year. The WATCH 4 came out almost 2 years ago and the WATCH 3 is about 4 years old now. This is a rarity among smartwatch brands. But for consumers, this is a win. There is no constant pressure to upgrade every year and each new iteration of the WATCH Series comes out with more than some superficial glow-up. Naturally, when the HUAWEI WATCH 5 launched there was much excitement and pep.

Now, Huawei also has a WATCH GT Series that’s entirely separate from the HUAWEI WATCH Series. The WATCH GT 5 was debuted last year. Compared to the WATCH GT Series, though, the WATCH Series is more upscale with premium materials and even more advanced features. So, does the WATCH 5 Series justify the long wait? In more ways than one. It brings a brand-new sensor, a futuristic design, a revamped app ecosystem, and more.

X-TAP is a health revolution
The WATCH 5 Series makes big strides towards becoming a serious health management device. It draws inspiration from real medical devices and introduces a fingertip sensor called X-TAP. The HUAWEI X-TAP is a 12mm long glass sensor on the side of the watch body that redesigns smartwatch health management with the industry’s first all-in-one sensor. In cardiovascular health monitoring, the quality of physiological signals collected through fingertips is much more reliable, which can unlock more accurate, faster, and comprehensive health monitoring. The fingertips contain an abundance of blood vessels and a thinner skin surface, greatly reducing signal interference from skin pigmentation, hair, etc. You can check your SpO2 levels in under 10 seconds by placing your finger on the X-TAP sensor.

The watch also has the Health Glance feature, which is a smarter, more accurate and more attentive way to asses your health by analysing 11 bodily indicators and long-term health trends. Despite the comprehensive nature, it only takes Health Glance 60 seconds to generate a report.

For most users, raw health metrics don’t mean much. Much more important is the correlation between different monitoring results and, above all, what they mean. That’s why the WATCH 5 introduces Health Insights. It analyses the correlation between health indicators in sleep and heart health scenarios through visual cues and textual analyses, offering personalised health advice and smarter health management.

Futuristic design, tough build
The front of the watch has a prominent spherical design that incorporates a spherical sapphire glass screen, second only to diamond in hardness. The use of premium materials goes beyond sapphire. The HUAWEI WATCH 5 42mm, available in Beige and Sand Gold, features a 904L stainless steel casing—the same alloy used in luxury watches known for its exceptional corrosion and wear resistance. Meanwhile, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm, available in Silver and Purple, uses Aerospace-grade Titanium material, which is 45% lighter than 904L stainless steel, 1.8 times stronger, and 1.5 times harder.

A finely crafted classic trapezoidal crown tops of the design. The new X-TAP button that sits on the side next to the crow blends into the overall visual language without drawing too much attention. Everything from the spherical watch face to the new retrofuturistic hues and high-end materials lends the watch a unique appeal that exudes precision and craftsmanship.

Apps and ecosystem
The HUAWEI WATCH 5 Series supports e-sim cellular calling, standalone navigation, onboard music streaming, and access to Huawei’s ecosystem of fitness and general apps. It can handle key tasks without needing your phone constantly in your pocket.

The watch also introduces new gesture controls designed for one-handed use. Users will now be able to tap and Double Slide with their fingers to instantly interact with their smartwatch. You can easily answer or hang up calls, switch music, and take photos by double tapping or swiping your fingers with one hand, greatly improving the efficiency of smartwatch usage.

Battery life that keeps giving
The battery life of Huawei watches has always been astonishing. Despite all the added features and even an extra sensor, Huawei has managed to keep it impressively long. In Standard Mode, HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm can last for up to 4.5 under normal usage and 42mm edition can last up to 3 days on Standard Mode. The battery life can be extended with the Battery Saver Mode, allowing the watch to last up to 7 days on the 42mm edition and 11 days on the 46mm edition.

The HUAWEI WATCH 5 brings a whole host of new features to smartwatches while the rest of the industry has been largely in a trickle. And just like that, Huawei once again proves it is far ahead in health and well-being management. What’s more, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 works equally well with iOS and Android devices, making it a universal choice for everyone looking for a smartwatch in 2025.