Taiwan’s I-Mei, Mirle, Syntec team up on new drones, robots

台灣義美、盟立和新代聯手開發新型無人機和機器人

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — I-Mei Foods, Mirle Automation Corp., and Syntec Technology will unveil jointly developed drones, robotic dogs, and robots with fully self-controlled components at Semicon Taiwan, scheduled for Sept. 10–12 in Taipei.

The three firms established a robotics manufacturing company in May, with I-Mei Foods CEO Luis Ko (高志明) serving as chair. I-Mei’s partner, Golden Saddle Machinery Co., handles the manufacturing of drones, robotic dogs, and robots. Syntec provides controller technology, while Mirle manages system integration and supplies reducers for robot joints, per Economic Daily News.

In February 2024, Ko became chair of the Taiwan Drones-Tech Integration Consortium and acquired shares in 7A Drones, a company specializing in drone-based logistics and agricultural applications.

In 2023, he also invested in Digiforen Technology Co., which provides cybersecurity testing for chips, digital forensics, and security testing for drones and network communication products.

I-Mei also set up the Bong-Khang Wind Tunnel at the Golden Saddle Machinery Co. facility. The 45-meter-long, 5-meter-wide testing site evaluates unmanned aerial vehicles under extreme conditions such as wind, rain, heat, and cold. The tunnel also includes a robotic dog testing track simulating rough terrain like pebbles, sand, mud, and water.

Mirle said it will also showcase a humanoid robot capable of lifting up to 20 kilograms, along with its MD-X inspection robot dog, at the event.

In addition, Mirle, working with its subsidiary Main Drive Corp., has developed lightweight reducers for humanoid robots. Using aluminum and titanium alloys, the new components reduce robot weight by more than 50% compared with traditional steel gear reducers.