Taiwanese startup Techwin Technology's foray into the defense application of drone thermal imaging has garnered attention.

(CNA reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, 29th) Taiwan startup Techtronic Industries focuses on optical technology innovation and has developed an AI platform to solve the problem of moving from design to mass production of super-intelligent lens products. Its technology can be applied not only to consumer electronics products but also to drone thermal imaging systems. With China restricting the export of germanium materials, it has attracted much attention from the defense sector.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is promoting the TREE program, which will send 14 Taiwanese startups to Silicon Valley for special training this year.

MetaRosetta, a Taiwanese startup that won the U.S. Army xTech competition and is expected to seek further cooperation in the future, is one of the teams. Its main technology lies in the development and design of super-intelligent optical components.

In an interview with the Central News Agency, MetaRosetta CEO Hsu Wei-Lun pointed out that "super-lenses" utilize semiconductor processes to create nanoscale microstructures on wafers. Optical control is achieved through these microstructures, allowing optical components to be extremely thin and small.

Regarding the application scenarios of this technology, Hsu Wei-lun stated that MetaRosetta's current product line includes near-infrared light and thermal imaging super lenses; the former can be used in consumer electronics and silicon photonics, while the latter can be used in defense.

"We are strengthening our presence in thermal imaging," Hsu Wei-Lun explained. Traditional thermal imaging lenses are made of germanium, but the germanium supply chain is mainly in China. In recent years, due to China's export controls, the market needs alternative solutions, and MetaRosetta can seek to enter this market.

The Russia-Ukraine war highlights the core role of drones as asymmetric weapons, and thermal imaging can be applied to drone nighttime reconnaissance.

Hsu Wei-Lun emphasized that MetaRosetta's advantage lies in its self-developed AI platform, which can solve the problems encountered in the process of "from design to mass production" of super-intelligent lenses; he hopes to leverage Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors to make Taiwan the next world-class center of the optics industry.

Besides MetaRosetta, several other teams in the field of AI applications were also present. Among them, Morale AI uses AI agents specifically designed for manufacturing to transform raw factory data into explainable, scalable, and directly applicable production decisions.

Morale AI's clients in Taiwan span semiconductor manufacturing and testing, machine tool, and traditional textile industries. With the US government promoting the return of manufacturing to the US, many companies are setting up factories there, and Morale AI technology can help accelerate these processes.

Morale AI CEO Sheng-Hsiang Kao stated in an interview that they estimate approximately 150 to 200 Taiwanese companies may have a need to set up factories in the US. Morale AI has already partnered with Taiwanese semiconductor supply chain manufacturers to assist in the construction of information systems, enabling companies to more quickly import their R&D knowledge and quality control experience from Taiwan into their US factories. (Edited by: Chih-Hsuan Chang) 1150730

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is promoting the TREE program, which selected 14 Taiwanese startups to receive special training in Silicon Valley this year. (Provided by ITRI) Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, July 30, 2026

Morale AI uses AI agents specifically designed for manufacturing to transform raw factory data into explainable, scalable, and directly applicable production decisions. (Provided by ITRI) CNA reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, July 30, 2026

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Director-General Wu Chih-hsiang (front row, third from right), and Economic Division Chief Chen Ai-lan (front row, second from right), attended an exchange activity for Taiwanese startup teams in Silicon Valley. (Photo provided by ITRI) Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, July 30, 2026