ACSL Inc., Japan's leading drone manufacturer, announced the launch of its new NDAA-compliant TAITEN smart controller, upgrades to its SAMO thermal payload, and its collaboration with Teledyne FLIR's Thermal by FLIR® Program. The TAITEN controller features a 7-inch high-brightness display, IP54 weather resistance, customizable buttons, HDMI output, and full compatibility with the SOTEN drone, and will be available in September. The upgraded SAMO payload now includes a 64MP optical camera, radiometric thermal imaging, 20X zoom, and will soon integrate FLIR's MSX® Fusion Technology for enhanced image clarity. ACSL's partnership with FLIR expands its U.S. presence and accelerates the delivery of advanced, integrated thermal drone solutions to public safety and industrial markets. ACSL will showcase TAITEN, SAMO, and SOTEN at the Commercial UAV Expo 2025 in Las Vegas, alongside presentations and panels featuring company leadership.

ACSL Unveils New TAITEN Smart Controller, Upgrades Thermal Camera Payload, and Joins Teledyne FLIR's Thermal Program as a Collaborator

New NDAA-Compliant TAITEN Smart Controller features 7" Integrated Display

Upgraded SAMO Thermal Payload Features 640 Radiometric Thermal Imaging, 64MP Optical Camera with 20X Zoom Capabilities, and FLIR's MSX® Fusion Technology

Santa Clara, California - August 26, 2025 - ACSL Inc., the leading Japanese drone manufacturer, today announced 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. These announcements represent a significant step forward in ACSL's mission to deliver powerful, secure, and flexible drone solutions for public safety and industrial inspection.

TAITEN, ACSL's all-new NDAA-compliant smart controller, is purpose-built for real-world operations. It 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. Designed from the ground up with field operators in mind, TAITEN offers exceptional clarity, durability, and control. 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."

ACSL's entry into the Thermal by FLIR® Program marks a major milestone in the company's ongoing expansion into the U.S. market. The program, developed by Teledyne FLIR OEM, supports original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with seamless integration of thermal camera modules and provides joint go-to-market support for new technologies. Both companies are collaborating on next-generation solutions that integrate 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, 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 Hadronâ„¢ 640R camera module, which combines a 64MP visible camera with the 640x512 Boson® radiometric thermal camera module. Recent upgrades include a new 20X zoom functionality, and 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.
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 #312 at 5:15 PM PDT. Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc., will be moderating the panel, UAS in Critical Infrastructure: A Critical Discussion on What Works and Why, happening 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.
Product and Field Operation Imagery

About ACSL
ACSL is the largest Japanese drone maker, renowned for its innovation and commitment to quality. With a focus on delivering advanced, reliable, and user-friendly drone solutions, ACSL continues to set industry standards and exceed customer expectations. ACSL offers a variety of different drone systems including the flagship SOTEN drone. ACSL Inc. is the US subsidiary of ACSL.