TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Elan Microelectronics said Monday that it has teamed up with Academia Sinica to integrate AI image recognition and AI-generated training data into military drones.
The company said that its AI edge computing and on-device AI technologies are being applied to unmanned aerial vehicles. It is expected that this will significantly enhance operational performance, according to CNA.
The company noted that its AI image recognition technology was originally developed for use in laptops. The technology also won five of the Best Choice Awards at Computex in May.
The two organizations also plan to integrate technologies such as target detection, intelligent tracking, and automatic obstacle avoidance into military drones, with mass production expected to begin in the second half of next year.
Elan Microelectronics’ advanced display IC, which uses mini LED and local dimming technology, can extend battery life and significantly improve image contrast and quality. The company noted that by incorporating this technology, drones will be able to display high-resolution and true-to-life images even in strong sunlight.
According to the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the global drone market is steadily expanding, driven by commercial use, and is projected to reach NT$1.5 trillion (approximately US$50 billion) by 2030. In light of this, the company said that it will increase investment in the drone sector.
In April, the company also collaborated with National Taipei University of Technology to develop AI imaging and sensor technologies for medical applications, autonomous vehicles, and drones. The company hopes the initiative will help cultivate domestic tech talent.
