The old hardware is identical to the previous Epson BDE PR1 EP1/EP2 releases. I wonder if they'll produce anything else. So far, I haven't seen any drives manufactured by Shanxi Lightchain Technology even in China.

SAT 8801 looks like the 11th generation

New optical drive SXLT BDE-PR1EP3
 

This new optical drive is manufactured in Shanxi Province. I purchased it from Japan; it is a custom OEM product from Epson.
Everything else remains unchanged; only the Pioneer mark has been taken off.
Anyone interested in this drive is welcome to contact me. I have no idea how to dump its firmware.
Photos and detailed specifications of the drive are attached below.