Taiwan's AIDC, Vantor complete Presidential Cup drone flight

台灣漢翔（AIDC）與 Vantor 完成總統盃無人機試飛

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and US-based Vantor announced Thursday the completion of a 2-kilometer autonomous drone flight without satellite positioning, according to an AIDC press release.

AIDC said the joint demonstration was a follow-up test to see if drones can navigate independently with AI-backed visual navigation. The objective was to prove that the integrated system can function smoothly at long distances under demanding deployment conditions.

AIDC unveiled the drone visual navigation and positioning system at a flight demonstration in May. The company said Tuesday's Presidential Cup drone flight marked a milestone, as the drone completed its flight without GPS assistance.

The Global Positioning System is a satellite navigation system. Satellites in space send multiple signals to receivers such as smartphones, providing accurate coordinates in most parts of the world.

AIDC said regular drones rely on GPS for coordinates, which can be disrupted when signals are jammed or lost. AIDC integrated Vantor's upgraded software for better performance.

The company said the drone was able to determine its location by comparing ground imagery captured by its camera with a high-precision 3D database. AIDC said this enabled the drone to pilot itself.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) called for teams in the 2026 Presidential Cup Drone Competition to demonstrate precise, autonomous flight aided by AI target recognition in complex environments. AIDC noted that although it is not a competing team, it used the event as an opportunity for live validation.

AIDC said resistance to interference is becoming an important requirement for drones. The company is applying the integrated solution to military and civilian uses, ranging from patrols and search-and-rescue in difficult areas where signals are unstable to urban transport, factory inspections, and agricultural monitoring.

AIDC said that by reducing reliance on GPS, drones can better perform reconnaissance, rescue, and tactical autonomy with added resilience. The company said it will continue to research practical applications and seek more international collaboration.