Japanese drone developer ACSL made several announcements today, including the launch of its new NDAA-compliant smart controller, TAITEN, upgrades to its advanced SAMO thermal camera payload for the SOTEN drone, and official collaboration with Teledyne FLIR’s Thermal by FLIR Program.
NEW TAITEN SMART CONTROLLER
TAITEN, an NDAA-compliant smart controller, features a high-resolution 7” built-in display with 1500 nits of brightness and a rugged, IP54-rated weather-resistant design. Additional highlights include HDMI output, customizable function buttons, and full compatibility with the SOTEN small UAS. The new controller will be available in September through ACSL’s nationwide network of dealers.
“This is a big moment for ACSL,” said Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc. “The launch of TAITEN, upgrades to our SAMO thermal payload, and our official entry into the Thermal by FLIR Program underscore our commitment to advancing mission-ready drone solutions. FLIR’s expertise in thermal imaging and their shared focus on security make them a critical partner as adoption of ACSL systems continues to accelerate.”
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH TELEDYNE FLIR
Teledyne’s Thermal by Flir supports original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with seamless integration of thermal camera modules and provides joint go-to-market support for new technologies, representing an important step in ACSL’s expansion into the US Market. Future collaborations will equip ACSL’s drones with FLIR’s latest thermal modules and Prism ISP technology.
“ACSL is an exciting addition to the Thermal by FLIR program,” said Mike Walters, Vice President of Product Management, Teledyne FLIR OEM. “Our program accelerates the path from development to deployment, putting advanced thermal capabilities, like ACSL’s SAMO payload, into the hands of operators more efficiently. We’re looking forward to collaborating with ACSL on the next wave of drone innovation.”
SAMO THERMAL PAYLOAD
SAMO, shipping now, is a swappable, NDAA-compliant thermal payload compatible with the ACSL SOTEN drone. It features an integrated International Traffic in Arms (ITAR)-free dual thermal-visible Teledyne FLIR OEM HadronTM 640R camera module, which combines a 64MP visible camera with the 640×512 Boson radiometric thermal camera module. Recent upgrades include a new 20X zoom functionality. As part of the FLIR collaboration, SAMO will gain MSX® (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging) compatibility by year’s end. MSX technology combines sharp edge detail from the visible camera with thermal imagery for enhanced context and operational insight.
Commercial UAV Expo
ACSL will be showcasing the TAITEN Smart Controller, SOTEN drone, and the SAMO thermal payload at Commercial UAV Expo 2025, taking place in Las Vegas on September 2–4. ACSL’s Global CTO, Chris Raabe, will be presenting the TAITEN controller on September 2, room #316 at 4:30 PM PDT. Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc., will be moderating a panel, “UAS in Critical Infrastructure: A Critical Discussion on What Works and Why,” held on September 3 on the Summit Stage from 10:30–11:30 AM PDT. Visit ACSL’s booth #917 to see the latest innovations in NDAA-compliant drone technology in action.
More information on ACSL is available here.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
