These Malaysian firms are on the highway to robotics

Early this yr, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob introduced that Malaysia is engaged on the Nationwide Robotics Roadmap (NRR) to spice up nationwide productiveness by widening the usage of robotics expertise.

The target, based on Ismail Sabri, is to minimize reliance on international labour and to minimise the move of international money.

In keeping with a Bernama report, the federal government is concentrating on to extend robotic utilization from 55 items per 10,000 staff in 2019 to 195 per 10,000 staff by 2030 beneath the roadmap.

Moreover, a MyDigital Catalytic Tasks Process Power might be established to establish and oversee possible tasks beneath a public- non-public partnership mannequin.

Nonetheless, just a few Malaysian firms are forward of the curve and have already jumped on the robotics bandwagon.

Madam, I’m Adam

In 2019, Cyberjaya-based robotics firm Robopreneur unveiled Adam, brief for Superior Growth Autonomous Machine, which on-line reviews dubbed as “Malaysia’s very personal humanoid robotic”.

Hanafiah with Adam which has been dubbed as Malaysia’s first humanoid robotic. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

It took the corporate 12 months to analysis and develop the robotic, which was “activated” in March of that yr.

In keeping with the corporate’s CEO and founder, Dr Hanafiah Yussof, the AI-powered humanoid robotic has built-in voice detection to permit it to speak with people.

Adam, weighing 44kg, also can transfer his physique and gesture together with his articulated arms and palms.

Hanafiah advised Bernama that Adam is a five-year challenge, with the following section targeted on total physique motion and refining its machine studying algorithm, which is able to permit it to speak extra naturally and recognise feelings, amongst different issues.

In the long term, the corporate needs to make extra social robots like Adam that can be utilized in healthcare services and different companies.

Spick and span

Transfer over, Roomba, Malaysia has created its first autonomous robotic able to cleansing flooring.

It took six months and RM6000,000 to construct Malaysia’s first robotic cleaner. — Ideasparq Robotics

Ideasparq Robotics CEO Asyraf Abdul Rahman mentioned in an internet report that the robotic, developed in 2020, has 4 capabilities – cleansing, mopping, sweeping and vacuuming.

He advised Bernama that it was constructed utilizing a 100% native workforce, with 20 college graduates from numerous fields, together with engineering, IT and industrial design.

It took six months to finish, with analysis and improvement prices totalling RM600,000.

Ideasparq Robotics has collaborated with a hospital service help firm to produce its robots to hospitals in Melaka and Johor.

It claimed its analysis discovered that hygiene was improved by 60% in comparison with handbook cleansing, and that the robotic would show invaluable in minimising human contact throughout the pandemic.

At your service

The scarcity of international labour throughout the Covid-19 pandemic pushed eating places in Malaysia to make use of robotic waiters.

Final yr, Authentic Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar began utilizing robots with trays to ship meals and drinks to prospects at their tables.

A robotic on responsibility at Authentic Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar in Citta Mall in Petaling Jaya. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

In an earlier report, managing director Burhan Mohamed mentioned prospects had been glad to obtain their meals from a robotic because it restricted human contact.

He’s aiming to have three robots in every of his 10 shops throughout the nation.

In the meantime, the Heritage Central Cafe in Kuching, Sarawak, has a robotic waitstaff named Bella to serve prospects.

Administrative assistant Nur Faridatul Husna Borhan mentioned the robotic’s 4 trays can every maintain as much as 10kg.

When it reaches a buyer’s desk, a inexperienced mild will flash to sign to them to take their meals from the tray.

Sound determination

In January, Sunway Medical Centre carried out cochlear implant surgical procedure utilizing robot-assisted expertise with 3D cameras on a seven-year-old lady.

Shailendra (proper) utilizing robot-assisted 3D Exoscope to carry out a cochlear implant surgical procedure. — Sunway Medical Centre

In keeping with Dr Shailendra Sivalingam, the guide ear, nostril and throat surgeon, the process was successful.

“Cochlear implant surgical procedure is historically carried out with a 2D working microscope, and now, it may be carried out utilizing a 3D Exoscope, making us the primary non-public hospital in Malaysia to take action.

“The surgical procedure on Suri went easily with none issue and utilizing the Exoscope, exact, difficult surgical manoeuvres had been carried out flawlessly,” Dr Shailendra mentioned in a press release.

Previous to the process, the kid communicated with others by way of lip studying, however she began to wrestle to maintain up with on-line classes, which grew to become the norm within the pandemic.

This prompted her mother and father to go for a cochlear implant, which sends sound instantly into the ears, in contrast to a standard listening to help.

The hospital opted for superior robotic surgical digital camera methods as they may assist enhance surgical precision and affected person security.