Taiwan Unveils Homegrown Quadruped Robot Program to Target $4 Billion Global Market
Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is collaborating with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and leading domestic firms to develop indigenous four-legged robots, aiming to secure a foothold in the rapidly expanding global robot dog market, projected to exceed US$4 billion by 2035. The initiative seeks to capitalize on Taiwan’s…
Chinese Submarine Missile Test Raises Regional Concerns
Richard Saunders, Siem Reap A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine launched a long-range ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, marking Beijing’s first such test since 2024. PLA Navy spokesman Wang Xuemeng described the launch as “a routine part of annual training,” adding that China had notified relevant countries in advance. He…
US Envoy Urges Drone Expansion in Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with Beijing
Jake Saunders, Manila The top American diplomat in Taiwan has urged the island to become a “hornet’s nest” of drones, calling unmanned systems a vital deterrent against potential Chinese aggression. Speaking at a drone forum in Taichung, Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, described UAVs as a “game-changing opportunity” to bolster Taiwan’s…
Taiwan’s New Integrated Air Defense Network Set for Year-End Completion, Deployment Eyed for 2027
Frank Williams, Okinawa Taiwan’s military is on schedule to finish its next-generation integrated air defense intelligence system by the end of this year, with plans to deploy the advanced network as early as next year pending approval of additional funding, a military source said. The system merges two major domestic initiatives: the Huanzhan Project (寰展計畫),…
From Infantry to FPV Engineer: Marine Veteran Corey Wetherholt on the Realities of Drone Warfare
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh Corey Wetherholt, founder of CivDiv LLC and a former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, has emerged as a leading voice on small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and first-person view (FPV) drone operations. His career trajectory—from conventional Marine infantry to guerrilla-style operations in Iraq, early advisory roles in Ukraine, and hands-on FPV engineering—mirrors…
OpenAI restricts ChatGPT rollout at Washington’s request
Dave Chamberlain, Washington OpenAI has restricted the initial rollout of its latest frontier AI models at the request of the US government, marking the first time the company has staggered a flagship release at Washington’s request. Previous generations of ChatGPT were released according to the company’s own schedule and directly to the public. The decision…
DP Smart’s Rogy360 Deployed on Kaohsiung Port’s AI Patrol Vessel
Kaohsiung, Taiwan — DP Smart announced that its Rogy360 panoramic imaging system has been successfully deployed on Kaohsiung Port’s AI-powered patrol vessel “Zhiyu,” enhancing the port’s smart maritime surveillance and operational safety. Integrated with the vessel’s multi-sensor suite, Rogy360 delivers continuous 360-degree panoramic imaging to support real-time monitoring, situational awareness, and AI-assisted analysis. The system…
Taiwan Pushes NT$210 Billion Drone Plan Amid Political Deadlock
Frank Williams, Ho Chi Minh City Taiwan’s Cabinet has approved a draft bill to fund a major expansion of its domestic drone industry, but political divisions in the legislature threaten to delay or derail the initiative. The Executive Yuan last Thursday signed off on a proposal authorizing a special budget of up to NT$210 billion…
US to set up testing ranges mimicking Ukraine battlefield
Brian Lupus, Subic Bay The US will set up at least two domestic testing ranges that mimic battlefield conditions in Ukraine, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said on Tuesday. Driscoll said defense contractors will have access to the sites, where the Army and industry “can start to do much more aggressive testing,” according to DefenseScoop. The US has…
G7 Backs Japan’s Push to Counter China Rare Earth Curbs
Francis Tuschek, Evian France Japan is pressing fellow G7 nations to form a united response to China’s tightening grip on critical mineral exports, arguing that coordinated action is needed to protect supply chains and reduce reliance on Beijing for rare earths and other strategic materials. At the G7 summit in Evian on June 16, Prime…
