Group develops locally made AI drones with non-Chinese supply chain

Group develops locally made AI drones with non-Chinese supply chain

2026-09-16

Amid growing demand for national defense, non-Chinese supply chains, and drones, a group in Tainan that began in the luxury housing business is now adopting AI and entering the drone industry. It’s developing AI-powered drones made in Taiwan, covering R&D, chip design, and complete-supply-chain manufacturing.

A drone flies over the fields, using AI to precisely control pesticide use and water consumption. Another drone is tethered to a power supply to overcome the battery limitations of conventional drones, allowing it to run for up to 20 hours.

Chang Yu-ming
Group chairman
Drones are no longer judged by how high or how far they can fly, but by how smart they are and whether they can help us carry out tasks. With drones integrating edge AI computing, they can now be used for applications such as counting wildlife and monitoring barrier lakes.

This group started out in the luxury housing business, but shifted into technology, focusing on the chips and control systems that power drones. It’s building its own technological capabilities covering key components and complete drone systems, joining the government’s push for a non-Chinese supply chain and targeting the global market.

Chang Yu-ming
Group chairman
We’ve focused on IC design and chips for the past 30 years. Our core technologies are in communications and flight control. We’ve also integrated communications into counter-drone systems, allowing us to use a communications control platform to integrate drones, uncrewed boats, and counter-drone systems.

The group has established a local supply chain without any Chinese parts, and is actively investing in Taiwan’s drone industry, working toward its goal of joining the country’s national drone team.

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#drone #MadeinTaiwan #MIT #AI #nonred #supplychain #technology #defense #nationaldefense

集團豪宅起家! 轉型切入無人機打造非紅供應鏈

2026-09-16

隨著國防自主政策、非紅供應鏈及無人載具需求持續升溫，台南豪宅起家的企業集團，轉型積極導入AI技術，切入無人機產業，運用AI智慧載具打造國防無人載具戰略佈局，具備研發、晶片設計到整機製造，打造非紅供應鏈MIT本土化產線。

無人機穿梭農田上空，透過AI分析與智慧載具，精準控制農藥與用水。另外這台繫流無人機，透過地面供電系統突破傳統電池的續航限制，最長可用16到20小時，讓救災更有效率。

[[集團董事長張祐銘]]
“現在的無人機不再強調說，飛得多高，飛得多遠，而是說你夠不夠聰明，可不可以幫我們人類去執行任務，那隨著邊緣運算AI在無人機上面的應用，包括說我們可以去統計野生動物的數量，堰塞湖的觀測，這個都可以用 AI 無人機去做應用”

集團從豪宅事業起家，轉型後積極布局科技領域，主攻無人機的「核心大腦」晶片與控制系統，從關鍵零組件到整機應用，逐步建立自主技術能量，切入政府力推的「非紅供應鏈」，搶攻全球無人機市場。

[[集團董事長張祐銘]]
“三十年前就是以IC 設計、晶片為主，我們的核心技術，就是通訊跟飛控這樣的一個領域，我們也把通訊整合在反無人機系統，那也就是說，透過通訊控制指揮台，我們可以去整合無人機，無人船，以及反無人機”

集團具備非紅供應鏈MIT本土化產線，積極投入台灣無人機產業發展，持續朝加入「無人機國家隊」的目標邁進。

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MacKay ER doctor registers to run for Taitung county councilor

One of the candidates running to represent Taitung’s first district in the county council is Wu Pei-shan, an ER doctor at MacKay Memorial Hospital. She’s gone to the front lines in Ukraine multiple times to provide medical support, with her heroic efforts earning her the Ten Outstanding Young Women Award. Explaining her move from medicine into politics, Wu said she wishes to emulate Dr. MacKay and leverage her medical values to create policies that can help more people.

This candidate for Taitung County’s first council district, Wu Pei-shan, is also an ER doctor at Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital. She said she decided to go into politics to carry forward the spirit of Dr. MacKay himself.

Wu Pei-shan
Councilor candidate/ER doctor
Dr. MacKay said he would “rather burn out than rust out.” From the start, my belief has been that we only have one life, so we should use it as much as we can.

Wu has signed life-and-death waivers six times to provide medical support in Ukraine, and for 10 years has traveled to the remote villages and islands of Taitung practicing medicine. After already winning the Young Sustainability Leader Award, she also won the Ten Outstanding Young Women Award this year.

Wu Pei-shan
Councilor candidate/ER doctor
Working on the front lines helps me see the issues more clearly to inform my policymaking. I hope to have the opportunity to create change and better the lives of people in Taitung.

Colleague
Admires Wu
She’s often working in the emergency room and is extremely enthusiastic. She’s the kind of doctor who’s exceptionally dedicated.

Wu is one of 17 candidates hoping to fill 10 seats in Taitung’s first district. As most are veterans with established voter bases, along with prominent newcomers such as County Commissioner Yao Ching-lin’s sister, Yao Ching-yu, and Legislator Huang Jen’s wife, Wang Chun-mei, it’s shaping up to be a fierce contest.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#elections #Taitung #countycouncilor #politician #ER #doctor #Ukraine #WuPeishan #localpolitics

2026-09-16

Yilan exports inaugural batch of speciality red pomelo to Singapore

Taiwan’s top-quality produce is about to meet another market! Specialty red pomelo from Yilan’s Dongshan Township has been exported overseas for the first time, as the first batch heads to Singapore thanks to the combined efforts of the county government and local farmers’ association. The first 2.4 metric tonnes of a planned 8 tons total were recently loaded into containers and shipped off to customs. With its appealing pink flesh and delicate, juicy texture, the limited-supply red pomelo is sure to make a strong debut in Singaporean supermarkets.

Crystalline pink flesh glistens from this cut pomelo, plump and close to bursting. This isn’t any old fruit. It’s a specialty red pomelo from Yilan’s Dongshan Township.

The red pomelo is not only delicate and juicy, but has a perfect balance of sour and sweet. With help from the county government and local farmers’ associations, it’s set to make its overseas debut with 8 metric tons bound for Singapore. The first 2.4 tons is already on its way.

Huang Shih-hung
Dongshan Farmers’ Association manager
Like other large fruits, the red pomelo retains its water content, and it keeps its sugar content as well. Of course, it has a natural acidity as well, so the ratio of sweet to sour is well balanced.

The harvest season for red pomelo is relatively short with limited supply, so the farmers are using a limited-edition approach. Through rigorous grading, they maintain sweetness at 11 degrees Brix or higher to ensure only the finest produce enters Singapore’s supermarkets.

Huang Shih-hung
Dongshan Farmers’ Association manager
We want to test the Singapore market and see if we can promote our seasonal fruits in a place that also has an ethnic Chinese population to provide greater income for our farmers.

Singapore is strict with food safety rules, proving that Yilan’s red pomelo can meet international standards. The county plans to help farmers keep strengthening their brand and export to more markets, becoming a source of pride for Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#pomelo #redpomelo #Yilan #produce #agriculture #Singapore #fruit

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Hualien battles dust storms following devastating Matai’an River floods

Massive flooding caused by the overflow of a barrier lake on the Matai’an River last year continues to impact Hualien County. The newly arrived northeast monsoon has whipped up riverbed silt into swirling dust storms, severely affecting residents’ quality of life and road visibility. In response, the Water Resources Agency is using a “water curtain” to suppress dust and is considering expanding the project, alongside planting lalang grass to keep the soil in place.

This otherwise clear road is enveloped in a haze of white fog, completely obscuring Hualien’s scenic mountains. Visibility is limited to only a few dozen meters.

It’s not just on land. Over on the river, swirls of dust float on the wind. Locals jokingly say there’s no need to wash your car. In conditions like this, it’ll get dirty again immediately.

Resident
Accepted the dust
There’s no way around it. It’s no different if you wash your car. The moment the winds pick up, it’ll get dirty again.

Mr. Kung
Resident
On a scooter, you can’t see anything in front of you. This has been happening for years now. It’s also dangerous in a car. You always have to turn on your brights.

These dust storms have persisted for a long time. Whenever the northeast monsoon arrives, the dust follows closely behind. Due to last year’s Mataian River flood, there’s more silt than usual in the riverbed. Air quality has further deteriorated this year, blowing inland as far as Yuli 80 kilometers to the south.

Wu Ming-hua
Water Resources Agency official
We’ll use the water curtain method to suppress airborne dust. Before the end of the year, we’ll finish the tender. If it works well, we’ll expand the system.

Water Resources Agency officials noted that whenever PM2.5 levels exceeded safety standards during previous heavy dust events, the water curtain would be activated to suppress dust using water sprays. Plans are currently underway to expand the system. They’re also working with local universities to plant lalang grass in the hopes of reducing fugitive dust.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#duststorm #Hualien #Mataian #dust #roadconditions #WaterResourcesAgency #watercurtain #monsoon #airquality

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Puma Shen causes night market vendors to sell out

Groups of people flooded Gongguan Night Market as Puma Shen, DPP’s Taipei mayoral candidate, campaigned there on Tuesday. Streets were packed with an estimate of a thousand people. Supporters brought him designer bags and certificates to sign, a female student from NTU who was getting married that day even asked him to be her witness. The crowd created a surge in sales for nearby vendors, who joked they closed up more than an hour early.

A wave of visitors surge through Taipei’s Gongguan Night Market! The place was completely packed with people even filling the second floor of Shuiyuan Market. Locals said they hadn’t seen anything like this in 20 years! Fans weren’t just asking for autographs on motorcycles, but also on expensive designer bags. Even junior high students lined up to have their award certificates signed.

- Can we sign here?
- Cross out Tang Chih-min
- He’s not the mayor; he was just the director of the Education Bureau

- Wow! Marriage contract! That’s rare!
- Use this to cover it up
- The third witness is perfect
- Thank you, thank you.

Even a law student from NTU, brought her marriage certificate so that Puma Shen could be a witness at her wedding. Someone presented him with a No. 1 house plate on Shifu Road, a symbol of the Taipei City Government. Shen is incredibly popular, with crowds not only lining the streets but also appearing on the second floor.

Ms. Chiu
Supporter
During the 2024 Hualien earthquake, I encountered some difficulties in the area. Many people sought help from Puma Shen, and I really hope he is elected.

Shen madness brought crowds of people. Supporters caused a surge in sales at night market stalls, buying them out. Shops that usually close at midnight were sold out by 11 pm due to the crowds.

- What time do you usually close?
- 12 o’clock
- And today?
- Since you are here today, I can close in a bit.
- Before 11 o’clock today.
- The fried chicken is sold out.
- He used to stay up until 11:30. Business is much better now. You should come every day as mayor.
- No problem.

The impact of Shen’s popularity made night market vendors even more supportive of him. A stinky tofu stall owner rushed up to Shen and gave him a big hug as soon as he saw him. After Puma Shen finished his two-hour street canvassing, he walked back to thank the vendors.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Whether the crowds are real or not, everyone can see for themselves. Ocean currents, of course, are varied. Some cold and some warm. But no matter how warm an ocean current is, it brings warmth. If an ocean current is scalding, it will burn people and that’s not right.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
I respect every candidate’s election strategy and plans. I will continue to promote the various municipal construction projects.

With just 73 days left until the election, a commentator predicts a butterfly effect will occur in Taipei, turning this ocean of support for Shen into a tsunami.

#pumashen #taipeimayor #nightmarket #politics #沈伯洋 #dpp

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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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25 innovations on show at ITRI Innovation Day held in Tainan

Cutting edge technology met centuries of history at the most recent edition of the ITRI Innovation Day, which was held in Tainan this year. The theme this time around was “Cross-Domain Innovation: Driving the Future.” With special showcases of AI applications, smart robots and unmanned vehicles, the event was a hotbed for innovation across different disciplines and industries.

Tainan’s Shalun Green Energy Technology Demonstration Site hosted this year’s ITRI Innovation Day on Sept. 15. It was bustling as can be.

An ultramodern, high-tech deer gallops ahead, taking participants on a journey from Tainan’s storied past to its present and into the future. Centuries of progress and evolution are displayed with life-like realism on the screen in a fusion of art and AI. The theme for this year’s ITRI Innovation Day is “Cross-Domain Innovation: Driving the Future.”

Chang Pei-zen
ITRI President
At ITRI and other research institutions under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, we work to turn the most advanced scientific findings into technology that can be then put into practical use in industries. Our goal is also to create opportunities so that new industries can emerge.

The international community has noticed Taiwan’s outstanding technological prowess. The event featured an exhibition of 25 cross-domain technologies and applications, many of which were recognized with international awards. Among them was the Prognosis Monitoring System, which achieves more than 90% prediction accuracy for rotating machinery and has already been implemented in the semiconductor, machine tool, and railway industries. Another highlight was the SafeCare AI Collaborative Care Robot, which can help reduce the burden on healthcare workers. From AI and smart robots to unmanned vehicles, ITRI brought together research teams to show how innovation can expand from the lab into real-world industrial applications.

Chao Ching-hui
Tainan Deputy Mayor
We hope ITRI’s innovation can provide technical services for a lot of these projects, as well as upgrade traditional industries by automating factories, for example. As AI becomes more common, we hope to take advantage of the AI boom to incorporate more firms in traditional sectors into the tech supply chains.

Scientific research is more than just producing papers. From the tech demonstrations to real-world partnerships with industry players, the ITRI Innovation Day moved to Tainan to connect industrial clusters in Southern Taiwan. By bringing together tech, talent, and industry needs from different domains, the event was fertile ground for innovation and industry opportunities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#innovation #ITRI #industry #technology #Taiwan

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