Interview | Taiwan's Drone Industry Has a Brain Problem — And Minwang Technology Is Solving It

In a rapidly evolving landscape where artificial intelligence is redefining warfare, Taiwan's drone sector faces a critical vulnerability: dependence on foreign AI systems that could undermine true autonomy. Zhou Wei-kun (周維昆), chairman of Minwang Technology (銘旺科技) , likens it to a human body controlled by an outsider's mind. "If the brain is controlled by others, no matter how strong the body is, it cannot be autonomous," Zhou told The Storm Media in an exclusive interview.

This insight is fueling Minwang's push to integrate homegrown AI with drone hardware, positioning Taiwan as a key player in "non-red supply chains" amid global geopolitical shifts. Zhou, whose company pivoted from display panels to drones during the COVID-19 pandemic, will discuss these themes at The Storm Media's 12th-anniversary forum on March 11, themed "Upheaval and Solutions." Joining him are ASUS Cloud and Taiwan AI Cloud CEO Wu Hanzhang, Kneron founder Liu Juncheng, and former Premier Chen Chong to explore U.S.-China rivalry, tariffs, and AI's transformative impact.

Zhou's analogy cuts to the core of Taiwan's defense challenges. "AI is like a person's brain, and defense-autonomous hardware systems are the body," he explained. Without domestically developed AI, even advanced hardware risks being manipulated externally — a dire prospect in an era of cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan's strengths in chip manufacturing and ICT provide a solid foundation, Zhou noted, but the real breakthrough lies in sovereign AI. "If we don't build our own AI systems, our vital lifelines will not be our own," he said, emphasizing how this integration could shield against foreign influence.

Shifting to specifics, Zhou contrasted traditional military assets with AI-driven drones. "Training a fighter pilot takes 20 to 30 years, and building a jet requires five to 10," he said. "But with AI-integrated drone lines, you can produce thousands or even tens of thousands per month."

This "high CP value" — high cost-performance ratio — makes drones a game-changer, Zhou argued. They slash costs, minimize human risk, and enable rapid deployment. Minwang, with just over 50 employees, has leveraged partnerships with government, academia, and more than 300 Taiwanese suppliers to demonstrate this scalability. "We've shown explosive potential through collaboration," he added.

Zhou's vision extends far beyond defense. "Only limited by imagination, not machine capability," he quipped when discussing civilian applications. Drones are already handling high-risk tasks like power-line inspections, disaster monitoring, fire scouting, and rescue operations — jobs "people shouldn't have to risk doing," as he put it.

In agriculture, a single drone can replace teams for pesticide spraying, field patrols, and crop management, boosting efficiency and safety. "As needs emerge, applications will exceed what we can imagine today," Zhou predicted.

Minwang's drone journey began unexpectedly. "COVID froze the panel market, and EVs and e-bikes were too risky due to inventory and competition," Zhou recalled. The switch to drones was logical: both rely on "three-electric" tech — motors, controls, and batteries. "Since ground vehicles were saturated, we went airborne," he said with a laugh.

Though Taiwan entered the drone space later than some nations, Zhou sees an advantage in its accumulated expertise from 30 to 40 years in semiconductors, ICT, and precision manufacturing. "It just needed systematic integration," he explained. Geopolitical realignments have amplified this, thrusting Taiwan into the spotlight for non-Chinese supply chains.

Despite momentum, institutional lags frustrate progress. "Policy and regulations lag behind technology," Zhou said bluntly. Manufacturers struggle with standardized testing for speed, stability, and wind resistance, often relying on theoretical data. "For defense and international markets, that's insufficient — we need precise verification."

The "non-red" label lacks official certification too. "Everyone claims to be non-red, but without standards, how do you prove it?" Zhou asked. Firms end up seeking overseas validation, inflating costs and risks.

Minwang isn't waiting idly. From day one, it aligned with U.S.-style architectures for flight control and integration, eschewing dominant Chinese models like DJI's. "The barriers are higher, but it's essential for defense credibility," Zhou said.

The strategy unfolds in phases: pioneering tech short-term, integrating systems mid-term, and establishing global "Taiwan standards" long-term. Real-world testing in Ukraine and Poland bolsters this. "Through our combat experience there, we're defining true non-red standards," he asserted. "Partners choosing Minwang get security, no backdoors, and quality."

Original Article in Chinese

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