AUVSI and Taiwan’s ITRI Sign Agreement in Washington, DC as ITRI Joins Green UAS Program as Recognized Cybersecurity Assessor 

January 28, 2026

Partnership expands in-country cybersecurity testing while AUVSI retains U.S.-based supply chain verification authority 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, January 28, 2026 — The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) announced this week the signing of a cooperation agreement in Washington, D.C., under which ITRI will join AUVSI’s Green UAS program as a Recognized Assessor focused on cybersecurity testing, expanding in-country support for penetration testing and technical cyber evaluation. 

The signing took place ahead of the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) in Washington, D.C. between U.S. and Taiwan officials on January 27th, underscoring the growing alignment between industry and government efforts to strengthen allied supply chains, promote secure technology development, and expand trusted manufacturing partnerships. 

Importantly, under the Green UAS framework, supply chain vetting and NDAA-related compliance determinations will continue to be owned and executed by AUVSI in the United States, supported by its supply chain risk management partnership with Altana. The role of ITRI under this agreement will focus on cybersecurity testing and technical evaluation, ensuring a clear separation between supply chain trust determinations and in-country technical assessments. AUVSI will apply the same accreditation, oversight, and quality assurance requirements to ITRI as it does to all existing U.S.-based Green UAS Recognized Assessors, ensuring consistent rigor and integrity across the program. 

“Trust is now the currency of the autonomy economy,” said Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI. “By welcoming ITRI as a Green UAS Recognized Assessor for cybersecurity testing, we are expanding access to high-quality, rigorous technical evaluation while maintaining a strong, centralized and consistent supply chain trust process in the United States.” 

“Our partnership with Altana ensures that supply chain vetting remains comprehensive, independent, and anchored in U.S.-based analysis,” Robbins added. “This model allows us to scale the program globally with a trusted ally in Taiwan without fragmenting the framework that government and industry rely on.” 

 “This collaboration, for ITRI, is not merely an agreement but a responsibility. In recent years, the development of UAV’s has no longer been just a competition in technology or performance; it has become a comprehensive issue involving system safety, supply-chain trustworthiness, and overall governance capability.” 

“AUVSI has long been committed to establishing institutional frameworks with international credibility, while ITRI, within this framework, takes on the role of promoting professional assessment services in Taiwan, helping the industry align with international regulatory requirements in a systematic manner. TBC ITRI spokesperson 

Through this collaboration, AUVSI and ITRI will: 

• Provide in-country penetration testing and technical cybersecurity evaluation in Taiwan, breaking down time zone and language barriers for engineering teams 

• Maintain U.S.-based, AUVSI-owned supply chain vetting and compliance determinations, supported by Altana 

• Reduce cost, time, and logistical barriers for companies seeking trusted technology validation 

• Preserve a single, consistent, and authoritative trust framework across all geographies 

The signing ceremony was attended by senior leadership from Taiwan’s government and research community, including Minister Ming-Hsin Kung of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan’s representative to the United States Tah-Ray Yui, and ITRI President Pei-Zen Chang, along with senior Taiwanese officials from the Industrial Development Administration, Department of Industrial Technology, and International Trade Administration. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) also attended with Deputy Director Karin Lang offering remarks. AIT’s presence underscored the strategic importance both sides place on strengthening U.S.–Taiwan cooperation on trusted, secure, and resilient technology supply chains. 

About AUVSI

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics. AUVSI represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government, and academia.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive into technology-oriented. Over the years, ITRI has incubated over 240 innovative companies, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC, and cultivated more than 140 CEOs.