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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
The Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) has suggested the establishment of a central national agency dedicated to managing and executing Malaysia’s AI strategy, along with developing a flexible regulatory framework to support AI adoption in the country. KRI announced that these recommendations were introduced during its first Artificial Intelligence Impact and Governance (AIIG) Roundtable, held on August 27. The event gathered key stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, private sector representatives, academics, and civil society groups, to discuss the future of AI governance in Malaysia.
KRI’s suggestion for Malaysia to learn from other countries in developing AI guidelines is practical and forward-thinking. AI is a rapidly evolving field, and no single country has all the answers. By building international partnerships and participating in global standards-setting, Malaysia can gain valuable insights, avoid common pitfalls, and adopt best practices tailored to its specific needs.
In the meantime, the first legally binding international treaty on AI will be available for signing by the countries involved in its negotiation, including EU members, the United States, and Britain, according to the Council of Europe human rights organization. Known as the AI Convention, the treaty has been in development for years and was adopted in May after discussions among 57 nations. It aims to address the risks associated with AI while encouraging responsible innovation.
On behalf of the editorial team, thank you for your massive support of Automate Asia Magazine. Stay in touch with us at www. asiaautomate.com for more updates.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
08. Malaysia Committed to Empowering AI, Digital Learning
10. Khazanah Research Institute Proposes Central AI Agency
12. PTT Synergy Inks Deal with China’s Siasun on Distribute Autonomous Equipment in Malaysia
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
14. ESMC Breaks Ground On Its First Semiconductor Fab In Germany
16. Singapore, India Deepen Cooperation in Semiconductor Sector, Digital Technology
18. National Center for Artificial Intelligence to Open in Astana, Announces President Tokayev
19. Semiconductor War Heats Up in South-East Asia
20. US, Britain, EU to Sign First International AI Treaty
IOT
22. Everything You Need to Know about the 1NCE IoT Lifetime Flat Subscription, the IoT Software and Connectivity Solution You’ve Been Waiting For
26. Connected IoT Devices Tipped to Approach 19B in 2024
ROBOTICS
28. China’s Robot Makers Chase Tesla to Deliver Humanoid Workers
32. Beijing E-Town Accelerates the Development of an Integrated Robotics Industry Ecosystem
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
38. How Should Small Businesses Take Advantage of Generative Artificial Intelligence?
40. An Update on How We’re Accelerating the Use of AI in Robotics at Scale
42. An Interview with Tindaro Danze, President & CEO, Siemens Malaysia
IN THE HOT SEAT
48. Aerotech’s Journey to Becoming a Global Leader: An Interview with Fun Chee Hoe, Field Sales Engineer, Aerotech Inc.
SPECIAL INSIGHT
50. How Can 5G Provide a Safer Cobot Environment?
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52. Revolutionary Biohybrid Robots Are Coming. Are We Prepared?
56. The Future of Robotics: Brain-Inspired Navigation Technologies Paving the Way
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Malaysia Committed to Empowering AI, Digital Learning
Malaysia expressed its commitment to empowering artificial intelligence (AI) technology through the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025 and the implementation of the Digital Education Policy (DPD) at the 2024 Digital Learning Week held in Paris.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, also the president of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU), said the potential of AI technology needs to be further explored to support educational goals without marginalizing human values.
In a statement here today, she also shared Malaysian initiatives in actively
Fadhlina, who is leading the Malaysian delegation at the 2024 Digital Learning Week, held from Sept 2 to 4, also participated in a round table discussion with other international education leaders.
She also met with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) deputy directorgeneral Xing Qu and discussed the agenda on education for all, the empowerment of Science and Technology and ethics in AI technology.
Source: thesun.my implementing the Education Reforms, the 2027 School Curriculum and the new education development plan.
She also expressed Malaysia’s desire to be on the Executive Board of UNESCO) for the term 2025 to 2029.
This, she said, is in line with Malaysia’s experience, commitment, image and good reputation as a member country that plays an active role in leading programs implemented at the regional and global levels.
Fadhlina said Xing also expressed his appreciation to Malaysia for the country’s continuous commitment to strengthening UNESCO’s agenda.
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Khazanah Research Institute Proposes Central AI Agency
Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) has proposed setting up a central national artificial intelligence (AI) agency to oversee and implement Malaysia’s AI strategy, along with creating an agile regulatory framework capable of adapting to the country’s AI adoption.
In a statement, KRI said these recommendations were unveiled during its inaugural Artificial Intelligence Impact and Governance (AIIG) Roundtable, held on Aug 27, which brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, public officials, private sector representatives, academics, and civil society organizations, to discuss the future of AI governance in Malaysia.
“AI governance stakeholders agreed on the need for national coordination, with a clear and unified strategy that leads
to systematic guidelines or regulations and straightforward implementation processes.
“KRI proposes that the government establish a central national AI agency to serve as the single focal point for coordinating and implementing Malaysia’s strategy on AI adoption and governance, while also building connections between experts across different sectors and gathering and disseminating information about AI impacts to the public,” the statement said.
KRI further said Malaysia can learn from other countries that are already developing AI guidelines and regulations by building international learning partnerships and participating in international standardssetting processes.
“However, global regulations should not be adopted wholesale into a Malaysian context, and KRI recommends ensuring an agile regulatory framework within Malaysia’s current context as a deployer of AI, capable of adapting in tandem with Malaysia’s AI adoption, while also setting clear national objectives for this framework to ensure policy coherence across and within sectors.
Meanwhile, KRI said its research highlighted three significant risks associated with AI, which are falling behind globally due to non-adoption, experiencing unintended consequences from unsafe AI, and the weaponization or misuse of AI.
“Thus, KRI recommends upskilling policymakers and the civil service on both how to use and govern AI,” KRI said.
Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) has proposed setting up a central national artificial intelligence (AI) agency to oversee and implement Malaysia’s AI strategy, along with creating an agile regulatory framework capable of adapting to the country’s AI adoption.
PTT Synergy Inks Deal with China’s Siasun on Distribute Autonomous Equipment in Malaysia
PTT Synergy Group Bhd (KL:PTT) said it had signed an agreement with Chinese robotics manufacturers Siasun Robot & Automation Co Ltd to distribute autonomous intralogistics automation solutions.
The agreement is exclusive, and signed through PTT’s newly established indirect 70% owned subsidiary, PTT Robotics Sdn Bhd, with Siasun Robot and Automation (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. Under the agreement, PTT Robotics will market equipment including automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
Siasun Malaysia, meanwhile, will supply a diverse range of AGVs, AMRs and other automated equipment, as well as provide extensive technical support to ensure implementation and operation.
The company has an internal target of achieving RM100 million rental in two years rather than outright sales, said Dan Then, the chief executive director of PTT Robotics.
“The leasing model enables customers to be sticky with us for a long period of time, and gives us more invaluable
(Front row, from left) PTT Robotics chief executive officer Dan Then and Siasun group vice CEO Liu Zijun at the signing ceremony between PTT Synergy Group Bhd and the Siasun group, witnessed by (back row, from left) Siasun group chief financial officer Zhang Tian Zhu, PTT Synergy managing director Teo Swee Phin, InvestKL director Mah Chun Wai and PTT Synergy executive chairman Datuk Abd Rahim Jaafar. (Photo by Suhaimi Yusuf/The Edge)
amount of data about smart robotics implementation,” he said.
Currently, PTT Synergy is already one of the largest users of AGVs in Malaysia, and has eight industrial properties slated to be completed in three years in the pipeline.
The solutions will help companies transition from traditional methods to advanced, automated systems, enhancing their efficiency and competitiveness as demand for high-tech manufacturing grows, said PTT Synergy managing director Teo Swee Phin.
“Through this partnership, we aim to meet growing demand by providing state-of-the-art automation solutions, transitioning from simple machinery leasing such as forklifts to future-proof, fully automated systems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Siasun group vice CEO Liu Zijun commented: “By leveraging on PTT
Source: theedgemalaysia.com
Synergy’s extensive network and market expertise, we are confident that we can deliver unparalleled automation solutions to meet the evolving needs of Malaysian industries.”
“The introduction of AGVs and other advanced technologies will play a crucial role in revolutionising the logistics and manufacturing landscape in Malaysia,” he added.
The group expects insignificant financial contributions from the Siasun collaboration for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, but remains confident in its long-term development.
Shares in PTT Synergy, which have surged 82.5% year-to-date, were unchanged at RM2.19 at the time of writing, valuing the company at RM473 million.
ESMC Breaks Ground On Its First Semiconductor Fab In Germany
European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark the initial phase of land preparation for its first semiconductor fab in Dresden, Germany
European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), a joint venture between TSMC, Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors, is building its first semiconductor fab in Dresden, Germany.
TSMC is a Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturing company.
Robert Bosch is a German-based multinational engineering and technology company.
Infineon Technologies is Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer.
NXP Semiconductors is a Netherlandsbased semiconductor manufacturing and design company. It is the third-largest European semiconductor company by market capitalization as of 2024.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the initial phase of land preparation for its first semiconductor fab in Dresden, Germany.
“ESMC is a joint venture between TSMC, Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors.”
The event brought together government officials, customers, suppliers, business partners and academia to celebrate a milestone in establishing what will be the EU’s first-ever FinFET-capable pure-play foundry.
Distinguished guests included President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Saxony Minister President Michael Kretschmer, and Lord Mayor of Dresden Dirk Hilbert.
In a demonstration of dedicated support, during the event, President von der Leyen announced that the European Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 billion (Euros) German measure to support ESMC in the construction and operation of the semiconductor fab.
TSMC Chairman and CEO, C.C. Wei, said: “Together with our partners, Bosch, Infineon and NXP, we are building our Dresden facility to meet the semiconductor needs of the rapidly growing European automotive and industrial sectors.”
“Construction is expected to start later this year.”
“With this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, we will bring TSMC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities within reach of our European customers and partners, which will stimulate economic development within the region and drive technological advancements across Europe,” Wei concluded.
The new facility
Construction is expected to start later this year and the new facility is expected to generate around 2,000 direct high-tech professional jobs.
Additionally, each direct job created by the project is expected to stimulate the creation of numerous indirect jobs throughout the EU supply chain, bolstering the region’s economy.
ESMC will uphold TSMC’s standards of sustainability and environmental protection. In line with this mission, ESMC and its partners are dedicated to constructing a green fab that utilizes both existing and cutting-edge techniques to optimize conservation. This includes energy-efficient construction, water reclamation, and obtaining LEED certification.
“The ESMC wafer fab is to be built right next door to our own Bosch wafer fab in Dresden.”
When fully operational, ESMC is expected to have a monthly production capacity of 40,000 300mm (12-inch) wafers on TSMC’s 28/22 nanometer planar CMOS and 16/12 nanometer FinFET process technology, further strengthening Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem with advanced FinFET transistor technology.
Total investments are expected to exceed €10 billion consisting of equity injection, debt borrowing, and strong support from the European Union and German government.
Chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch, Dr Stefan Hartung, said: “The ESMC wafer fab is to be built right next door to our own Bosch wafer fab in Dresden. So now we will be able to watch it emerge and grow with our own eyes. We’re looking forward to that, just as we are to collaborating closely with our partners TSMC, Infineon, and NXP. Together, we will take Europe a decisive step forward in a key industry, and ensure that advanced chips are available for industrial enterprises here.”
The ESMC alliance
The establishment of ESMC exemplifies the strength of TSMC’s Grand Alliance, a cornerstone of innovation within the semiconductor industry.
The alliance has driven groundbreaking advancements, bringing together TSMC’s partners for a new level of collaboration.
The investment in ESMC signifies not just a deeper commitment to this strategic partnership, but also underscores TSMC’s unwavering dedication to nurturing innovation across Europe.
“The new facility is expected to generate around 2,000 direct high-tech professional jobs.”
CEO of Infineon Technologies, Jochen Hanebeck, said: “Our joint investment in Dresden once again highlights the enormous significance of Silicon Saxony as a magnet for leading international semiconductor manufacturers.”
“The construction of another semiconductor manufacturing facility in Dresden by ESMC constitutes a major success for the region. We are bringing to Europe a particularly important semiconductor technology which is used in the most modern digital chips. This investment will create additional jobs and will permanently strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem in Silicon Saxony, in Germany and in Europe as a whole,” Hanebeck concluded.
Singapore, India Deepen Cooperation in Semiconductor Sector, Digital Technology
Singapore and India exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the semiconductor industry and digital technologies.
The MOU “aims to support India’s growing semiconductor industry while facilitating Singapore’s ecosystem of semiconductor companies and related supply chains to participate in the fastgrowing Indian market”, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry in a press release on Thursday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the two prime ministers, Mr Lawrence Wong and Mr Narendra Modi, on the final day of the Mr Modi’s latest visit to Singapore. It’s his fifth since taking office 10 years ago.
The MOU was earlier signed by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, and India Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw during the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable on Aug 26.
“India aims to establish itself as a global node for semiconductor manufacturing, driven by strong domestic demand in the electronics, electric vehicles, and manufacturing sectors,” said MTI.
“Singapore’s established semiconductor ecosystem has produced a strong cluster of semiconductor companies which are keen to participate in the growth of India’s semiconductor industry.”
With the MOU, Singapore and India will leverage each other’s strengths in the semiconductor industry and build their supply chains, which include government-
led policy exchanges on ecosystem development, supply chain resilience and workforce development, said MTI.
MTI and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will establish a policy dialogue to facilitate discussions, oversee the implementation of the areas of collaboration, and exchange best practices.
A parallel business-to-business cooperation forum will also be established and led by Enterprise Singapore and the India Semiconductor Mission to encourage more private-sector partnerships between both countries.
In a Facebook post, Mr Wong noted the “deep and enduring friendship” that both countries share, “built on strong economic and people-to-people ties”.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sep 4, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/ Lawrence Wong; Ministry of Digital Development and Information/Betty Chua)
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at AEM Singapore on Sep 5, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information)
“We have set out a forward-looking agenda for the next phase of our bilateral relations. This includes closer cooperation in areas like sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and connectivity,” said Mr Wong.
He also noted that Singapore and India are upgrading their Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“This is a timely move as we expand our partnership in new and mutually beneficial areas, and celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership next year,” said Mr Wong.
“We look forward to strengthening our ties and creating new opportunities for our peoples.”
Speaking at the Singapore-India forum, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat noted that since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005, annual bilateral trade has grown from S$20 billion to S$51.2 billion in 2022. He added that Singapore was also India’s largest external investor in 2022.
“The significance of CECA lies not just in deepening economic linkages between India and Singapore ... (but) in serving as
a pathfinder for other agreements to foster closer economic linkages between India and ASEAN, and India and other Asian countries.”
GROWING PARTNERSHIP
During his trip, Mr Modi was hosted to a site visit by Singapore semiconductor ecosystem player, AEM Singapore, said MTI.
He was accompanied by Mr Wong, and Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.
“The visit comprised a sharing led by Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) on the development of Singapore’s semiconductor industry and opportunities for mutual collaboration between Singapore and India partners, and a tour of AEM’s facilities,” said MTI.
The ministry added that EnterpriseSG is partnering the Singapore Precision Engineering & Technology Association (SPETA) to feature the Singapore Pavilion at the inaugural SEMICON India show event from Sep 11 to Sep 13, with more than 20 Singaporean companies participating.
In partnership with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, SSIA is also planning a business mission to India.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at AEM Singapore on Sep 5, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information)
Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosts a lunch for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shangri-La Singapore on Sep 5, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information)
National Center for Artificial Intelligence to Open in Astana, Announces President Tokayev
Kazakhstan will establish a National Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Kazakh capital by next year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during his annual state-ofthe-nation address on Sept. 2, as reported by the Akorda press service. The center will be accessible to schoolchildren, students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
“Kazakhstan must consolidate its achievements in digitalization. We need to integrate artificial intelligence technologies into the electronic government platform. Kazakhstan should become a leader in the widespread adoption of AI and the development of
digital technologies. This is a priority task for the government, and I urge the members of Parliament to support this initiative,” he added.
Tokayev also called for enhancing the regulatory framework concerning digital assets and mining and further developing crypto exchanges. He expressed concern over entrepreneurs who consume substantial amounts of electricity without contributing adequately to the economy through taxes, stressing the need to address this issue.
In his address, Tokayev highlighted the significance of the project to lay a fiber-
optic communication line across the Caspian Sea, scheduled for completion in 2025. According to him, it is a critical endeavor for Kazakhstan and essential for creating a robust digital infrastructure that supports international corridors and cross-border data flows.
The President concluded by underscoring the importance of continuing to develop telecommunications networks, enhance data centers, implement global cybersecurity standards and improve the competencies of Kazakh specialists in the field.
Photo credit: Akorda
Semiconductor War Heats Up in South-East Asia
Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore are all vying to become a regional leader in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The chip making business is now gaining momentum on the global stage thanks to the demands of artificial intelligence technology and electric vehicles.
For Thailand, the country’s Board of Investment (BOI) said it would propose new measures to fast-track investments in upstream manufacturing to the government under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a focus on two main industries: Semiconductors and batteries.
BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said the BOI proposed setting up the “Semiconductor Board” to specifically supervise the investment in this crucial industry as well as to attract corporations in the US and Europe to invest in Thailand in the next few years.
Thailand’s eastern neighbor Vietnam, meanwhile, is drafting a new digital
technology industry (DTI) law that offers several privileges to global chip makers investing in the country, according to a Nikkei Asia’s report.
The report said the DTI law offers up to 150% tax rebate on research and development expenses of new innovations, as well as up to 10 years’ free usage of land and fast-track visas for foreign experts.
Companies investing more than US$160 million would be entitled to fast-track registration and exemption on selected raw materials and equipment, the report added.
Nikkei Asia noted that US semiconductor giant Nvidia is in talks with Vietnam’s FPT Corporation to build a research and development facility for AI technology. Netherlands’ chipmaker Besi also announced an investment of US$164 million in Vietnam.
Singapore, meanwhile, is expanding its decades-long domination in the
semiconductor industry in the region following the two-day visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi met with Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong and signed four memoranda of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, digital technology, skills development and healthcare, according to the Indian government.
On chip production, Singapore will support India’s growing industry, while India will promote the entry of Singaporean companies and the development of supply chains in its huge market, Nikkei Asia reported.
Despite its small area and high operating costs, Singapore accounts for 10% of global chipmaking output, and around 20% of semiconductor manufacturing equipment production.
US, Britain, EU to Sign First International
The first legally binding international AI treaty will be open for signing by the countries which negotiated it, including European Union members, the United States and Britain, the Council of Europe human rights organization said.
The AI Convention, which has been in the works for years and was adopted in May after discussions between 57 countries, addresses the risks AI may pose, while promoting responsible innovation.
“This Convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law,” Britain’s justice minister, Shabana Mahmood, said in a statement.
The AI Convention mainly focuses on the protection of human rights of people affected by AI systems and is separate from the EU AI Act, which entered into force last month.
The European Union’s AI Act entails comprehensive regulations on the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU internal market.
The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, is an international organization distinct from the EU with a mandate to safeguard human rights; 47 countries are members, including all the 27 EU member states.
An ad hoc committee in 2019 started examining the feasibility of an AI framework convention and a Committee on Artificial Intelligence was formed in 2022 which drafted and negotiated the text.
The signatories can choose to adopt or maintain legislative, administrative or other measures to give effect to the provisions.
The UK government said it would work with regulators, the devolved administrations, and local authorities to ensure it can appropriately implement its new requirements.
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Small- to medium-sized Malaysian companies face similar challenges in IoT deployments: complexity in implementation and inconsistent cost of communication lines for IoT devices.
These high and unpredictable costs— both in-country and across borders— make it difficult for companies to plan their budgets.
Different communication carriers across different countries also hinder the global expansion plans of many Malaysian companies.
Without a big workforce and resources, the complexity of managing a large number of SIM lines is a constant headache.
This is where a global IoT connectivity service provider like 1NCE can actually help.
“1NCE offers a disruptive and simple pricing model (10 years for US$15 for the Lifetime Flat subscription) providing customers with cost-effective and hasslefree service for their IoT devices which comes for only US$1.5 per year.
“Unlike traditional monthly billing models, customers pay only once. That’s why our company name is 1NCE, making it extremely affordable and flexible, while also reducing operational overhead.
“As a result, more than 20,000 customers worldwide have trusted us with more
than 22 million connected products,” explained1NCE’s Head of Sales (APAC) Cheng Hua Lee.
That works out to about RM6.60 per year for 10 years. Now that is a price that is hard to beat.
And how does 1NCE ensure seamless connectivity in over 170 countries and regions?
“1NCE is a strategic partner with Deutsche Telekom, SoftBank and other large network operators, giving its customers direct access to their global and regional network infrastructure, and access to the roaming partner network for worldwide connectivity management.
This partnership allows customers to enjoy the consistent cost and coverage across all supported countries and regions,” added Cheng.
Companies using 1NCE to expand their business globally will find that 1NCE’s global coverage eliminates the need for numerous local contracts and inconsistent integration and cost of services—making international expansion more accessible and cost-effective at a fully predictable cost.
These companies can deploy their IoT devices in multiple countries and regions seamlessly, using a single SIM card and billing structure.
It is also important to note that SoftBank Corp., one of the major Japanese Telecommunication Companies, is the exclusive sales partner for 1NCE in 19 markets across the APAC region.
“Their extensive network and expertise enable seamless distribution and support for customers, ensuring reliable and efficient IoT connectivity, and more importantly, ease of access to key markets in the APAC region.
“Our regional HQ is based in Singapore, with an in-country subsidiary entity of SoftBank Corp office in Kuala Lumpur, which allows us to support clients locally in Malaysia,” explained Cheng.
Janet Chan, Sales Manager of ST Digital Solutions Malaysia, further explained they are a local subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. in Malaysia, responsible for sales of 1NCE services.
“We work closely with 1NCE to expand the market reach and provide local support.”
And how does the pricing structure of 1NCE compare to that of other providers in the market?
“1NCE offers a one-time payment of US$15 + SIM charge (US$1-2.5 per SIM) for 10 years of rights to use 1NCE’s software tools and APIs, as well as 500 MB of data
volume and 250 SMS. Unlike competitors, there are no other miscellaneous fees, such as monthly hosting fee, platform fee, activation fee, minimum monthly consumption fee, etc.
“This pricing is significantly lower compared to other providers, enabling customers to achieve substantial cost savings and ease of mind in achieving meaningful total cost of ownership consistently in local or overseas markets.
“There are also top-ups available, should the existing data volume be exhausted. The data volume top-up can be done when needed on the 1NCE site, either in automated or manual mode, as well as via API integration. This is available as many times as you like without the need to exchange SIM cards,” explained Chan.
She also added that the purchase and set up of 1NCE SIM cards is really straightforward. “Customers can easily order the SIM card online and it will
arrive already activated at the time of shipment. No activation is required and it can be used immediately.”
There is also no minimum order requirement. “There is no minimum
order requirement when purchasing 1NCE connectivity and software with its standard SIM cards.
“Whether you need one SIM card, thousands or even millions, 1NCE offers
At US$15 for 10 years, the Lifetime Flat subscription is pretty hard to beat.
Malay Mail
flexibility to cater to businesses of all sizes. This is one of the key values that 1NCE brings to the market to ensure the barrier of entry in implementing IoT solutions is the lowest possible.
“While large companies can benefit from our cost-effective economy of scale and reliable borderless IoT communication services, we also serve SMEs and startups.
“Our prepaid model, along with the ability to purchase even a single line, allows companies of any size to leverage our services and achieve cost savings. We believe that every business should have access to affordable and efficient IoT connectivity, regardless of its scale,” said Cheng.
An example of how 1NCE helped to solve a customer’s business challenge is ATrack Technology Inc, a Taiwanese fleet management solution provider.
“In the past, when ATrack was selling their solutions, it faced challenges in having to navigate through inconsistent charges and individual contracts from telecommunication providers in different countries.
“However, since collaborating with 1NCE, ATrack has been able to streamline its supply chain. By integrating communication services with its hardware solutions, ATrack can now quickly deliver its products to local partners in different countries.
“This end-to-end approach has effectively improved the quality of their offerings, reduced operational costs, and boosted ATrack’s competitive edge in the international market substantially.
“The collaboration with 1NCE is a testament to how harnessing the right IoT connectivity solution can bring fundamental improvements to businesses and further their market reach,” said Cheng.
Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Connected IoT Devices Tipped to Approach 19B in 2024
Research company IoT Analytics predicted a slight decline in the rate of growth in the number of connected devices for the sector in 2024 as enterprises keep a watchful eye over expenditure due to various global headwinds.
IoT Analytics forecast the number of connected IoT devices to stand at 18.8 billion by the end of the year, up from 16.6 billion in 2023.
The research company noted this would result in year-on-year growth of 13 per
cent in 2024 compared with 15 per cent in 2023.
IoT Analytics stated enterprises are cautious about spending due to high inflation and interest rates, though noted these are beginning to moderate. Other
factors impacting growth in device numbers include “continued chipset supply constraints” and geopolitical issues in “Eastern Europe and the Middle East”.
The research company explained it counts active nodes and devices along with
gateways concentrated on end-sensors as connected IoT devices, spanning technologies including fixed, mobile, LPWAN, WPAN, WLAN, WNAN and others including satellite.
IoT Analytics predicts the same economic and supply chain factors will continue to affect the connected device segment beyond 2024, though forecast the sum will hit 40 billion units by 2030.
China’s Robot Makers Chase Tesla to Deliver Humanoid Workers
China dominates the market for electric vehicles. Now it’s chasing Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab in the race to build batterypowered humanoids expected to replace human workers building EVs on assembly lines.
At the World Robot Conference this week in Beijing, over two dozen Chinese companies showed off humanoid robots designed to work in factories and warehouses, with even more displaying the made-in-China precision parts needed to build them.
China’s push into the emerging industry draws from the formula behind its initial EV drive more than a decade ago: government support, ruthless price
competition from a wide field of new entrants and a deep supply chain.
“China’s humanoid robot industry demonstrates clear advantages in supplychain integration (and) mass production capabilities,” said Arjen Rao, analyst at China-based LeadLeo Research Institute.
The robotics effort is backed by President Xi Jinping’s policy of developing “new productive forces” in technology – a point made in brochures for this week’s event.
The city of Beijing launched a $1.4 billion state-backed fund for robotics in January, while Shanghai announced in July plans to set up a $1.4 billion humanoid industry fund.
The robots on display this week draw from some of the same domestic suppliers that rode the EV wave, including battery and sensor manufacturers.
Goldman Sachs forecast in January the annual global market for humanoid robots would reach $38 billion by 2035, with nearly 1.4 million shipments for consumer and industrial applications. It estimated the cost of materials to build them had fallen to about $150,000 each in 2023, excluding research and development costs.
“There is big room to squeeze the cost down,” said Hu Debo, CEO of Shanghai Kepler Exploration Robotics, a company
A visitor looks at humanoid robots displayed at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences booth during the World Robot Conference in Beijing, China August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
he co-founded last year inspired by Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus.
“China specializes in fast iteration and production.”
Hu’s company is working on its fifth version of a worker robot to trial in factories. He expects the sales price to be less than $30,000.
‘CATFISH EFFECT’ COMES TO ROBOTS
When Tesla opened its Shanghai factory in 2019, Chinese officials said they expected the EV pioneer would have a “catfish effect” on China’s industry: introducing a large competitor that would make Chinese rivals swim faster.
Tesla’s Optimus robot has had a similar effect, Hu said.
The U.S. automaker first introduced Optimus in 2021, which CEO Elon Musk then touted as potentially “more significant than the vehicle business over time”.
Musk’s company is using an artificial intelligence approach for Optimus modelled on its “Full Self-Driving” software for EVs. Chinese rivals and analysts say Tesla has an early lead in AI, but China has the ability to drive down the price of production.
Tesla showed off Optimus, mannequinlike, standing in a plexiglass box next to a Cybertruck at an exhibition alongside the conference in Beijing.
Optimus was outdone by many Chinese humanoids that were waving, walking or even shrugging, but it was still one of the
most popular exhibits and thronged with people taking photos.
“Next year there will be more than 1,000 of my compatriots in the factory,” a sign next to Optimus said.
Tesla, in a statement, reiterated it expected to move beyond prototypes to start producing Optimus in small volumes next year.
Hong Kong-listed UBTECH Robotics (9880.HK), opens new tab has also been testing its robots in car factories. It started with Geely (0175.HK), opens new tab and announced a deal on Thursday to test them at an Audi plant in China.
A boy pushes a biped robot developed by LimX Dynamics at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, China August 21, 2024. REUTERS/ Florence Lo/File Photo booth during the World Robot Conference in Beijing, China August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
A UBTECH humanoid robot demonstrates its applications on a factory assembly line, at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, China August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
“By next year our goal is going to mass manufacturing,” said Sotirios Stasinopoulos, UBTECH’s project manager.
That would mean up to 1,000 robots working in factories, he said. “It is the first milestone towards a large-scale deployment.”
UBTECH uses Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab chips in its robots but more than 90% of components are from China.
The current generation of production robots - massive arms capable of welding and other tasks - has been led mostly by companies outside China, including Japan’s Fanuc (6954.T), opens new
tab, Swiss engineering group ABB and Germany’s Kuka, owned by Chinese home appliance manufacturer Midea (000333. SZ), opens new tab.
China leads the world with factoryinstalled production robots, more than triple the number in North America, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
Xin Guobin, China’s vice-minister for industry and information technology, said at the opening of the Beijing event that his ministry had been implementing Xi’s guidance and had made China “an important force in the global robot industry.”
The country last November called for mass production of humanoid robots by 2025, but that will start on a much smaller scale than is needed to transform EV production.
“I believe that it is likely to be at least 20 to 30 years before humanoid robots can achieve large-scale commercial application,” said LeadLeo Research Institute’s Rao.
Beijing E-Town Accelerates the Development of an Integrated Robotics Industry Ecosystem
The first comprehensive robot exhibition center in Beijing, “Robot World,“ has established a permanent exhibition hall. The National Robot Testing and Evaluation Center (Headquarters) Beijing Evaluation Center provides authoritative domestic and world-class testing and certification services. The Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center focuses on solving common industry challenges in the development of key embodied intelligence robot technologies and ecosystem construction. The Beijing Artificial Intelligence Data Training Base helps build the “strongest brain.”
In Beijing E-Town, also known as the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), the ‘upstream and downstream’ sectors of the robotics
industry have become ‘neighbors,‘ fostering closer collaboration and integration. From attracting industry chain enterprises and building industrial spaces to providing computational support and large model training, Beijing E-Town is accelerating the construction of an integrated and interconnected robotics industry ecosystem.
On the morning of August 21, during the opening ceremony of the World Robot Conference 2024, Beijing Robot World (referred to as Robot World) officially opened in Beijing E-Town, located at Courtyard 3, Jinghai 5th Road, Beijing Robot Industry Park.
In Robot World, a set of futuristic robot application scenarios is presented: In the automotive manufacturing field,
handling robots and arc welding robots have become “skilled workers” on the production lines of complete vehicles and parts, working seamlessly in all processes such as welding, body arc welding, roof sidewall handling, painting, and stamping. In the trade and logistics sector, logistics robots have achieved automation in tasks such as shelf-to-person, bin-to-person, robotic sorting, and intelligent robotic logistics warehousing. In the healthcare sector, surgical robots equipped with high-definition stereoscopic vision systems, microsurgery instruments, intelligent surgical forceps, and fiber optic connectors provide doctors with a clearer view and more precise operation during surgery. In the commercial community services sector, the nation’s first certified AI catering robot has achieved the fully automated process of making Chinese
Robot World showcases the application scenarios of handling robots and arc welding robots in the automotive manufacturing field
crepes, from ingredient preparation to customized final products based on taste preferences.
A representative from Beijing E-Town Robotics Technology Industry Development Co., Ltd. introduced that the exhibition hall features nine major “robot+” scenarios, including robot + manufacturing, robot + healthcare, robot + artificial intelligence, and more. The goal is to promote production through exhibitions, inspire enterprise development strategies, and create a platform that connects platforms, industries, enterprises, and talents. For example, after the World Robot Conference, the exhibition hall will house
select exhibits and provide continuous, free displays of new products and technologies for enterprises. Additionally, it will offer presentation spaces and roadshow services for robot companies to launch new products.
Moreover, within the 250,000-squaremeter Beijing Robot Industry Park, a leading domestic robot testing and inspection technology platform—the National Robot Testing and Evaluation Center (Headquarters) Beijing Evaluation Center (referred to as the Evaluation Center)—has also been established. Equipped with authoritative domestic and world-class testing facilities, the center provides testing and certification services
for the entire industry chain, including components, modules, complete machines, and integrated applications, for industrial, service, and special robots.
A representative from the Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center (referred to as the Innovation Center) told reporters, “As the industry rapidly develops, testing and certification in technical areas such as electromagnetic compatibility, safety, reliability, and intelligence have become industry necessities. The proximity of the Evaluation Center allows us to effectively save time on testing and certification, shortening the research and development testing cycle.”
Turning our attention outdoors, the general humanoid robot platform “Tiangong,“ independently developed by the Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center, is navigating a dedicated robot path, occasionally tackling challenging terrains like grass and slopes. As the first provincial-level innovation center for embodied intelligent robots in China, the Innovation Center focuses on developing key common technologies and ecosystem construction for embodied intelligent robots. It is committed to tackling the core tasks of “Tiangong” and “Kaiwu,“ aiming to become a leading organizer of resources, a promoter of industrial development,
and a facilitator of practical applications in the embodied intelligence field. “Our goal is to address common issues in the humanoid robot industry and drive overall industrial development,“ stated Xiong Youjun, General Manager of the Innovation Center.
In fact, it’s not just the Innovation Center that has gathered here; full-assembly manufacturing enterprises like the UBTECH humanoid robot headquarters and key component companies like Chietcom and Tsino-Dynatron have also joined. Furthermore, to accelerate the concentration of the robotics industry, promote technological exchange, and
facilitate the transformation of innovative achievements, the Beijing Robot Industry Park established a Robotics Industry Incubator in April this year. This incubator provides services such as entrepreneurial guidance, project roadshows, investment and financing, achievement transformation, intellectual property, and policy consultation for start-ups and growing enterprises in the upstream and downstream sectors of robotics. Currently, four robotics companies—Lingzu Times, NextVPU, Ruiqu Technology, and DexForce—have signed up to join.
At the Tongming Lake National Information Technology Application Innovation Park, located 4 kilometers from the Beijing Robot Industry Park, it has been reported that Beijing E-Town is building a comprehensive AI city, with the first batch of ten benchmark application scenarios, including “AI + humanoid robots.” Here, Beijing E-Town’s largest and nationally leading public AI computing power platform has already activated 3000P of high-performance computing power. Throughout Beijing E-Town, 5000P of high-performance intelligent
computing power has been deployed, with a planned computing power scale exceeding 10,000P. The Beijing Artificial Intelligence Data Training Base serves as a training ground for companies, helping large models develop the “strongest brains” and continuously advancing data aggregation in related fields to unlock the value of data.
“We have currently innovated in constructing a ‘data security physical space’ and ‘a highly efficient, interconnected data optical network,‘ developed a ‘trustworthy
data infrastructure,‘ and formulated ‘an operational management mechanism.’ Through management mechanisms and technical means, we have built a secure environment for data circulation and model training,“ a representative from the Training Base explained.
By leveraging the convenience of exhibition exchanges and testing and evaluation, bringing together leading companies like the Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center, UBTECH Robotics, and Longwood Valley
MedTech, and benefiting from the support of specialized incubation carriers and key component companies, along with the vast application scenarios in intelligent manufacturing factories in industries such as automotive and new displays, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area official introduced, “In Beijing E-Town, the ‘upstream and downstream’ of the robotics industry have become ‘neighbors.’ Robotics companies can find innovative partners for research and development, manufacturing,
training, testing, and even application stages without leaving the district.”
Moving forward, Beijing E-Town will accelerate the construction of an integrated and interconnected robotics industry ecosystem, continually enhancing soft and hard collaborative service support for industrial development, closely adhering to the comprehensive development needs of the robotics industry supply chain, and refining the allocation of resources such as data, platforms, services, and capital, while
continually fostering an environment that attracts talent from near and far, ultimately creating an “industry ecosystem rainforest” characterized by “resource coordination, element aggregation, and innovation collaboration.”
At the National Robot Testing and Evaluation Center (Headquarters) Beijing Evaluation Center, a staff member demonstrates an upper limb testing system for humanoid robots in the interaction laboratory
How Should Small Businesses Take Advantage of Generative Artificial Intelligence?
The transformative technology has businesses equally exhilarated and worried. It’s best to explore the possibilities with an experienced partner.
Since Chat GPT made its public debut less than two years ago, the explosion of interest in generative artificial intelligence has been a thing to behold. Rarely, if ever, has a technological advancement received this much attention among business and IT leaders in such a short period of time.
Research from Foundry, for example, found that leveraging generative AI now ranks as the third-highest priority among IT decision-makers in the U.S., tied with improving cybersecurity. When Foundry conducted the same survey 20 months ago, generative AI didn’t make the list at all.
Many small-business leaders I speak with tell me that they’re equal parts exhilarated and worried about the implications of generative AI.
It’s not hard to see why: The technology has the power to transform everything from how businesses interact with their customers to how employees do their jobs and how data is collected, protected and analyzed.
It’s still early, but generative AI may turn out to be the most important thing to happen in the business world since the dawn of the internet itself.
How Generative AI Is Changing Customer Service
Naturally, then, people have a lot of questions about how they can leverage AI in their own businesses.
There are many opportunities to explore. The most obvious is customer service: Businesses are leveraging AI in their call centers to help agents get a deeper understanding of customers’ purchase and return histories, demographic characteristics, and even their moods in real time. They’re building chatbots for their websites that are capable of far more sophisticated interactions than what was possible just a few years ago. And they’re using AI in data analytics to anticipate customer preferences.
AI is also revolutionizing the way work gets done. Today’s collaboration solutions are built with AI assistants that can summarize meetings or provide live subtitles or even translations into different languages. Modern productivity suites, such as those from Google and Microsoft, are leveraging generative AI too.
For example, workers can ask Copilot, the new AI assistant built into Microsoft 365, to help them perform tasks such as drafting a memo. Pharmaceutical maker Endo is investigating what’s possible with Copilot and has been working to help employees get more at ease with the technology. “We want to teach them to
not be afraid and highlight how they can be creative with the technology,” Endo CIO and Senior Vice President of IT Cheryl Stouch tells us. “We want them to be comfortable applying it right away.”
The share of IT leaders who cite leveraging generative artificial intelligence as a key priority in their digital transformation efforts
With Generative AI, Build Customized IT Solutions
To say that the possibilities are endless may seem trite, but it’s true. For businesses, the challenge is figuring out where to start and what to prioritize. This is where an expert guide is invaluable.
Microsoft users interested in helping workers be more productive, especially those considering the paid version of Copilot, might find CDW’s Copilot Readiness Workshop a useful place to start. You’ll get help understanding and overcoming the various technical hurdles that could prevent you from maximizing the technology’s power. Many other solutions — including for cybersecurity, call centers, collaboration and more — have AI built in, allowing organizations to leverage those tools immediately.
But you’ll need more help when it comes to building the kind of customized AI solutions that set really your own business apart.
AI represents a new frontier in business, a vast expanse of unexplored territory where the opportunities and risks exist in equal abundance. Your rivals are exploring it now, and so must you. But it’s not a path you should walk alone.
An Update on How We’re Accelerating the Use of AI in Robotics at Scale
Amazon is hiring Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan and licensing Covariant’s robotic foundation models to advance the state-of-the-art in intelligent and safe robots.
With decades of experience pioneering the use of machine learning models and developing and deploying the world’s largest fleet of industrial robotics, Amazon has a long history of driving innovation in supply chain, logistics, and warehouse automation. AI technology and AWS infrastructure powers the hundreds of
thousands of mobile robots, robotics arms, and other automation systems in our operations, assisting our employees as we deliver billions of customers’ orders every year. Amazon systems like Robin, Proteus, and Sequoia all make use of AI to understand the physical world and go about tasks safely and reliably as they work alongside our operations teams.
An Amazon employee looks up at a robotic system in a fulfillment center.
How Amazon deploys collaborative robots in its operations to benefit employees and customers
750,000 Amazon robots are doing the heavy lifting for our employees so they can deliver for customers. With the latest in AI, our technology makes our sites safer and enables employee upskilling.
Our robotic fleet touches many of the orders we deliver today, moving inventory, sorting goods, and identifying customer orders. They take on the heavy lifting and repetitive tasks so that our operations are safer and more efficient for our employees. Over the years and through all this activity, we’ve been deeply focused on continuously learning and improving the movement of our inventory at our sites and how our robotics systems interact with them. We’ve been busy undertaking fundamental research in how to use these insights to build AI models that help our systems become even safer and more adaptable at scale. This research is helping design new ways for robots to be useful for our employees and better serve our customers.
To help accelerate this innovation and the benefits it will provide to Amazon customers and beyond, we have a new commercial agreement with Covariant. Covariant is a Bay Area-based company that builds advanced AI models that enable robots to see, reason, and act on the world around them, supporting a number of different warehouse automation tasks. What we admire about the Covariant team is their iterative and customer-focused approach to developing technologies that solve the toughest challenges in warehouse automation and their deep understanding of that end-to-end process. Through our
Amazon employee working with robotic machinery in a fulfillment center.
agreement, Amazon is receiving a nonexclusive license to Covariant’s robotic foundation models. Covariant’s models will help drive new ways to generalize how our robotic systems learn and provide dynamic opportunities for how we use automation to make our operations safer and better deliver for customers. As part of this effort, Amazon plans to grow its AI and robotics team in the Bay Area to tap into world class talent and advance the latest in automation.
Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, Rocky Duan, and a group of research scientists and engineers (around a quarter of Covariant’s current employees) will join Amazon’s Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics Team to help drive the development and implementation of Covariant’s technology within Amazon’s operations and continue to develop innovative AI solutions.
Covariant will continue to serve its dozens of customers and build on Covariant’s technology that supports fulfillment and distribution center automation.
“We’re excited to welcome some of Covariant’s talented team to Amazon
and look forward to building on this technology with them to deliver the next generation of robotics that will drive forward the state-of-the-art in automation,” said Joseph Quinlivan, Vice President, Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics. “With some of the smartest minds, we will advance fundamental research, marrying our rich expertise to unlock new ways for AI and robots to assist our operations employees. Imbedding Covariant’s AI technology into our existing robot fleet will make them more performant and create real world value for our customers.”
We’re looking forward to sharing more and welcome other AI and robotics researchers and technologists to join us for all the innovation that lays ahead.
An Interview with Tindaro Danze, President & CEO, Siemens Malaysia
Tindaro Danze
President & CEO, Siemens Malaysia
Tindaro Danze is the President and CEO of Siemens Malaysia. He is concurrently the head of the Digital Industries (DI) business in Malaysia. Prior to these appointments in January 2023, Tindaro was the Head of Global Sales for DI’s Digital Enterprise and Vertical Management, where he managed the company’s regional industrial digitalization units, enabled global digitalization projects, and managed Siemens’ industrial teams in 15 key industries.
His first assignment in Southeast Asia was with Siemens Indonesia from 2012 - 2016, where he led the Low and Medium Voltage Drives Business. Under his leadership, Siemens became a leader in the Mineral Fiber industry.
From 2016 – 2020, he was the Head of Digital Industries in Siemens Vietnam. He positioned Siemens as a thought leader in Industry 4.0 in Vietnam, and also formed numerous strategic alliances with the local industry associations.
Tindaro graduated from the University of Applied Science Mannheim with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He also holds a Master’s in Organizational & Business Psychology, and is a Certified Business & Life Coach.
Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SMSB) is a leading technology company with comprehensive solutions and technologies for various markets in the Malaysian economy, under its Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure businesses. It focuses on the areas of intelligent infrastructure for buildings, grids, and distributed energy systems, more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, as well as automation and digitalization in the process and manufacturing industries. The company creates technology with purpose, adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for Malaysians.
1. Can you give us a brief overview of Siemens Malaysia and its core business areas? How does Siemens differentiate itself from its competitors in the industry?
Siemens has a long and proud history in Malaysia as we have contributed to nation-building initiatives for over a century. Today, we continue to support the government’s goals to transform industries and infrastructure through innovation, sustainability, and workforce development.
At Siemens, we create technology that transforms the every day, for everyone. We aim to make buildings safe and sustainable. We enhance power grids to be more reliable by incorporating more renewable energy to meet net-
zero aspirations. Our factories set new standards of efficiency and sustainability through automation and digitalization in process and manufacturing industries.
This is made possible through our cutting-edge products and solutions, coupled with emerging technologies, to serve various markets within the Malaysian economy through our Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure businesses.
We are actively strengthening collaborations between the government, industry, and education sectors in Malaysia. By working together, we can create an ecosystem where innovation flourishes, industries thrive and the future workforce is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
2. What role does Siemens play in enhancing automation and digitalization in the industry?
Please share some of the latest technological advancements the company has developed.
Siemens has the expertise to combine the real and digital worlds. Our portfolio spans a wide array of solutions, ranging from cutting-edge automation technology on factory floors, and to software for bigdata analytics in corporate settings.
We also have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into our software solutions like predictive maintenance to predict faults before they occur, optimize data analytics, and enhance human-machine interfaces for greater safety and intuitiveness. This leads to better decision-making, resource savings, and increased output across all sectors. Smart data-driven power grid management, for instance, enables better handling of renewable energy source volatility.
Siemens has been a frontrunner in promoting sustainable manufacturing. In industries where modular setups are critical, we understand the importance of supporting flexible plant designs. This commitment means making it easy to scale operations as needed while maintaining straightforward engineering processes so that manufacturers can adapt to changing demands efficiently and sustainably.
With digital twins, we can now simulate projects digitally before physical construction. In a photorealistic virtual environment, businesses can adapt to changing needs, with the advantage of a ‘reset button’ for iterative design.
As SMEs constitute the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 38.4% to the GDP, digital twin technology will be pivotal for maximizing resource efficiency right from the outset, thereby aiding those who are keen to kickstart their digitalization journey.
3. Siemens has a strong focus on sustainability. Can you elaborate on the company’s initiatives in this area?
Digitalization is the enabler for sustainability. Today, companies are striving to bring more innovative products to market faster than the competition and at a competitive price point. Additionally, they must consider their environmental impact. Achieving this balance requires a deliberate approach to managing these demands.
Before focusing on buildings where automation and digitalization enhance operational efficiency, the foundation lies in the stability and reliability of the power grid within the electrical infrastructure. Efficient power distribution and management are crucial for optimizing energy consumption, particularly in building infrastructures.
Siemens Blue Gas-Insulated Switchgears (GIS) manage medium-voltage power up to 33 kV across various industries, using nitrogen and oxygen gas mixture instead of SF6 to significantly reduce environmental impact. Blue GIS aids in decarbonizing and digitalizing grids, enabling facilities to enhance reliability, safety, and sustainability while maintaining the lowest CO2 footprint.
From an operational standpoint, our Facility Monitoring and Control System (FMCS) offers a holistic approach that integrates all systems, from utilities and power subsystems to sub-fabs and overall fabs, leading to exceptionally high productivity and availability. We incorporated smart technologies into
buildings to improve safety and efficiency in the manufacturing sector. As a matter of fact, even our own plants demonstrate this commitment, equipped with the latest automation and digitalization solutions.
Siemens provides comprehensive, endto-end digitalization for manufacturing processes, enabling companies to become sustainable digital enterprises. With our comprehensive Digital Twin technologies, including simulation results, production data, material information, supplier carbon footprint data, and product carbon footprint data, executives can make smarter, better-informed decisions for sustainability.
4. How does Siemens approach emerging markets, and what strategies are in place for expansion? Can you discuss any recent partnerships or collaborations Siemens has entered into?
Our strategy for all markets is always to look at the long term – how can we help with megatrends of environmental
change, glocalization, urbanization, demographic change, and digitalization? We believe that only through sustainable growth can we jointly improve the quality of life and transform every day for everyone worldwide.
In Malaysia, for example, as I’ve mentioned earlier, we work closely with government, industry, and educational institutions to support national ambitions that will bring progress to the country.
As part of our support for the First Selangor Plan, RS-1, Siemens hosted the Selangor State Government Technology Benchmarking Visit, including Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin, to Europe and at the Hannover Messe 2024, one of the world’s leading industrial trade fairs. During the visit, the delegation visited several sites to explore technologies for flood mitigation, sustainable urban development, rail maintenance, and vertical farming.
As part of our partnership with the State Government of Selangor, we aim to drive the digitalization and automation of Selangor’s industrial sectors such as Agrotechnology, Communication and Transportation (e.g. automotive, electric vehicles), Electrical & Electronics, Engineering & Machinery, Supply and Distribution of Goods (e.g. ports and logistics)
We are also working closely with local SMEs. One example – our partnership with Progressture Solar, in which we seek to engage and collaborate with industry players to deliver seamless energy solutions that facilitate substantial emissions reduction and assist businesses in adopting sustainable, environmentally conscious practices. As leaders in industrial decarbonization, Siemens and Progressture Solar simplify the adoption of renewable energy to bring about energy efficiency through accessible ownership models.
We recognize the importance of bridging talent gap. To address this, we have partnered with the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) and other local universities to develop cutting-edge syllabi aimed at upskilling the existing workforce and nurturing new talent.
A highly skilled workforce, with crossfunctional abilities from the shop floor to the top floor, is essential for fostering regional digitalization and economic growth. Our partnership with STDC illustrates this approach, going beyond localized efforts by facilitating the exchange of globally utilized syllabi and concepts across Southeast Asia.
5. What future trends does Siemens foresee in digital transformation? How is the company preparing to address future challenges and opportunities in these sectors?
Firstly, Malaysia stands as a global semiconductor hub. Emerging sectors, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and AI applications, are set to significantly boost the demand for semiconductor chips. This surge necessitates the expansion of data centers and advanced chip manufacturing, highlighting the importance of addressing energy demands.
Siemens, as a key player in the semiconductor industry with solutions spanning the entire value chain—from research and design to production— to comprehensively support Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. This holistic approach enables Siemens to deliver unparalleled expertise and solutions at every stage of semiconductor manufacturing.
Secondly, the industrial metaverse accelerates operational transformations, making them faster, easier, and more scalable. With the further expansion of the industrial metaverse, real-time collaboration will become more accessible. Key developments include connecting to the NVIDIA Omniverse and Siemens Xcelerator platforms to enable full-fidelity digital twins and connect softwaredefined AI systems from edge to cloud. This allows for simulating and optimizing plant performance by fast-forwarding to a future point in time.
On the topic of AI, we’ve teamed up with Microsoft to introduce the Siemens Industrial Copilot. This allows our customers to utilize AI technology for a more efficient, natural language-based human-machine interface. For instance, you can give a verbal command to the machine—similar to using “Alexa” or
“Siri”—and the AI technology translates that into programming language for the machine to understand and execute.
Moving forward, we are integrating AI into our low-code development platform, Mendix. With Mendix, anyone can create computer code without needing to spend years learning a programming language. Think of low code as a digital canvas where non-expert users can build unique, enterprise-grade apps using a wide range of boilerplate code and objects. Currently, the Mendix platform is being adopted to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation efforts.
Finally, I believe Malaysia should upgrade its national water infrastructure over the next few years. This initiative is crucial not only for public welfare but also to support vital industries like high-value manufacturing, the local semiconductor supply chain, data center cooling, medical technology, and others. By integrating advanced technologies such as AI and low-power sensors into the physical water infrastructure, Malaysia can potentially halve pipe leakage rates to reduce nonrevenue water (NRW). These sensitive systems can detect leaks as minor as 0.5 liters per second across extensive networks spanning thousands of kilometers of water pipelines.
Aerotech’s Journey to Becoming a Global Leader
An interview with Fun Chee Hoe, Field Sales Engineer, Aerotech Inc.
1. How has Aerotech evolved since its founding, and what are some key milestones in its journey?
We had our humble beginnings in a garage. I am proud to say we have grown into a global company at the forefront of precision motion control and automation for industries worldwide. Despite our expansion, we have managed to maintain strong personal connections with our customers while leveraging our extensive team of experts and vast experience to tackle their most significant precision motion and automation challenges.
Since our founding in 1970, we have remained dedicated to solving motion control and automation challenges for the most complex applications in the world’s most demanding industries. Key milestones include launching our AGV laser head product family, which set new industry standards as the world’s first Galvo scanner to achieve micrometerlevel positioning accuracy over large fields of view. In 2020, we introduced the Automation1 motion control platform, simplifying control for complex motion systems.
Our global footprint has also since expanded to include direct representation in over 15 countries, ensuring our precision motion experts are available to support customers from design to delivery, and daily production. Today, our state-of-the-art manufacturing and production facilities, including cleanrooms, application labs, and temperature-controlled metrology labs, are available not only to our team but also to our customers.
2. What sets Aerotech apart from its competitors in the motion control and automation industry?
We are always committed to solving the unique challenges our customers face. Through close collaboration, we enhance their processes, products, and productivity across key sectors like semiconductor, laser, photonics, and medical.
Our product team is also focused on continuously improving our portfolio to meet our customer’s needs and to stay ahead of emerging trends. For instance, our AGV laser head product family stands out with the use of the same controller for both cargo and automation control. This allows us to provide real-time feedback on positioning and eliminate stitching errors, which are common in laser applications.
3. Aerotech is known for its innovation in precision motion control. Can you tell us about some of your latest technological advancements?
We recently introduced an Enhanced Scanning Control (ESC) function on our Automation1 platform, which delivers significantly faster response times and superior control for laser applications. The ESC is an advanced real-time control algorithm that ensures higher accuracy during the most dynamic motion. In response to industries demanding higher throughput and stricter quality standards for laser processes, our ESC technology addresses the limitations of conventional laser scanning systems and sets a new standard for precision and efficiency. The ESC can enhance throughput by approximately 50%, providing faster stability and response for various laser applications.
4. What are the biggest challenges currently facing the motion control and automation industry, and how is Aerotech addressing them?
The industry faces significant challenges due to the uncompromising demands for geometric precision and dynamic performance. At Aerotech, we tackle these challenges by mitigating factors like vibrations caused by external influences, such as machine structures in office or factory environments. Our Automation1 motion control system allows us to manage complex motion profiles with high-speed areas, rapid accelerations, multi-axis coordination, and advanced control algorithms. This system supports parallel kinematics, including our serial kinematics solution, Fiber Max, which ensures unparalleled precision and performance.
5. What steps is Aerotech taking to expand its global presence and reach new markets?
We are placing a strong emphasis on growing our presence in the Southeast Asia market. Since 2020, we have established a strategic office in Singapore as part of this effort, complemented by other key Asian offices in China and Taiwan. To further enhance our market penetration efforts, we are also actively forming strategic partnerships and collaborations in Korea and Japan.
6. What are Aerotech’s strategic priorities for the next 5 to 10 years?
Looking forward, we plan to invest significantly in technology and R&D, hoping to drive the growth of automation and motion control solutions across various industries in the APAC region. At the same time, our focus will remain on technology innovation, optimizing processes, and enhancing supply chain resilience.
How Can 5G Provide a Safer Cobot Environment?
The 5G network opens exciting possibilities for creating high-tech warehouses and manufacturing plants where collaborative robots—or cobots— feature alongside other high-tech advancements like computer vision, augmented reality, and big data platforms.
However, security researchers also warn that the rise of 5G connectivity could increase network exposure risks, increasing the possibility of devastating cyberattacks. For example, teams of cybercriminals may view it as an exciting challenge to hack a network and cause as much disruption as possible. If the aftermath affects a leading manufacturing or supply chain company, the damage could cause financial and reputationrelated ramifications. However, advancements related to 5G and cobots could make industrial networks and a facility’s machines safer.
Harnessing the Potential of Private Networks
As you might guess from their name, a private 5G network has dedicated infrastructure and bandwidth for its owner to use. These private networks are increasingly popular among manufacturers and other industrial users that demand high-reliability, low latency performance for critical tasks. A private network does not mitigate risks stemming from all cybersecurity issues. However, it makes them significantly more manageable.
For example, it’s much easier for an IT leader to notice suspicious traffic levels on a private network compared to one that may have thousands of other users
associated with nearby entities. That’s a notable benefit, considering that more than 40% of manufacturers suffered cyberattacks in 2020.
Farming equipment maker John Deere also recently invested $500,000 in private 5G networks, allowing it to pursue the associated opportunities sooner, even in rural areas that don’t yet have widespread 5G rollouts occurring. The organization’s leaders believe private 5G will be vital for updating its processes and achieving more flexibility.
A company using a private 5G network could also move ahead with a zerotrust architecture so that no users are automatically assumed safe to access the infrastructure or its resources. Together, these aspects could make cobots safer by reducing the chances that cybercriminals could achieve successful hacks.
Combining Human Judgment with Robotic Innovation
A downside associated with even the most advanced robots is that all their training cannot surpass the decades of real-life experience a human operator may have. However, an ongoing 5G project involving Hitachi, Ericsson, and other industry partners uses the advanced network to give cobots new capabilities.
More specifically, humans can control the robots with remotes. Plus, each machine has analysis and control functions on a multi-access edge computing (MEC) server. The 5G network processes realtime sensor data and sends it to human operators for further analysis. A person could then use their judgment to give the cobot instructions about how to deal with an abnormality.
One experiment concerned a fully automated robotic arm used for picking tasks. Suppose something went wrong, such as the cobot having difficulty picking up an object due to being in the wrong position. In that case, a human could take command of the situation after reviewing the latest sensor data. Research indicated that this approach could cut work time by 50% to 70% compared to conventional options.
Besides boosting productivity, this method should enhance safety due to human oversight combined with timely data. A person may notice something a cobot is not programmed to recognize as a risk. The individual could then intervene to prevent an issue. Statistics indicate that cobots will comprise 30% of total robotics sales by 2027. People often fear machines will take their jobs, but this example shows how humans can keep working together with them.
Giving Cobots the Most Dangerous Tasks
The example above revealed how 5G could support cobots that people operate with remote controls. However, those were for relatively low risk gripping tasks. 5G researchers are also looking at options for remote-controlled cobots that tackle dangerous situations before humans arrive to deal with the associated hazards.
For example, a company received $1.5 million from the Australian government to develop a firefighting tank that works autonomously or with a remote control. A low band 5G network allows for longrange remote control of the device. The tank can also handle treacherous terrains, helping clear paths so that firefighters reach disaster scenes quicker. That use case could mitigate risks caused by teams not fully understanding the situation before arriving.
Similar use-cases could apply to the supply chain, too. For example, a cobot may be the better choice for dealing with toxic or flammable liquids, as well as products that could cause breathing difficulties if inhaled. However, such applications of 5G and cobots require taking precautionary measures. For example, protective wire and cable coverings safeguard cobots from the effects of corrosive chemicals and the mechanical stresses of repetitive movements.
Facilitating Safer Human-Robot Interactions
It’s impossible to remove all risks associated with cobot automation. However, engineers do the best they can by implementing features that make the machines stop moving when they come within a certain distance of people. Many discussions about 5G’s advantages center on its greatly enhanced speed capabilities over the 4G network. The speed improvement is a valid point, but many think safety will be another significant gain from 5G.
Better Safety in Close Surroundings
Humans and cobots work together to assemble cars in the factory, often in close quarters. For example, while cobots install air bags, humans get tasked with other duties associated with the vehicle’s interior. However, using the 5G connection makes cobots stop within a millisecond if people get too close. More specifically, a virtual cell and a light curtain set the boundary between the person and a cobot. If the human worker crosses the light curtain, the robot automatically stops moving.
Oversight of Dangerous Tasks from a Safe Distance
For now, most cobots work within feet of humans. But, as some of the previous examples here have shown, 5G can substantially expand the distance over
which a machine and human could interact to get a task done faster or more safely.
Another example of what’s possible involved a partnership between T-Mobile and Sarcos Robotics. It allows remote viewing of dangerous tasks while a cobot responds to a field operator’s commands. However, a second phase of the project will investigate controlling the cobot without being near it.
People can also mount the robot to numerous bases, such as those that enable reaching elevated heights or hard-toaccess areas. Many robot advancements mean that humans can spend less time engaging in risky tasks. For example, autonomous forklifts keep people at safe distances, making it virtually impossible for them to suffer the accidents that lay common with those machines.
5G and Cobots: A Smarter, Safer Pairing
These examples show that there’s no single best way to create a safer environment for cobots and humans with 5G. Reducing potential network exposure by building private infrastructure is one approach, but it’s also necessary to investigate how to help cobot automation advance with the help of 5G’s advantages. Faster, more robust connectivity makes these things possible, leading to more widespread progress sooner than you might expect.
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, an online magazine celebrating advances in science and technology.
The above comments and opinions in the article are the author’s own own and do not necessarily represent Automate Asia Magazine’s view
Revolutionary Biohybrid Robots Are Coming. Are We Prepared?
As creatures and machines meld together in increasingly advanced forms, ethicists are starting to take note.
Close-up view of a translucent flatfishlike biohybrid organism with a thin body and short, spiky fins suspended in clear liquid against a plain background.
An artificial stingray “robot” made from rat heart muscle cells.
Key Takeaways
Biohybrid robots combine living and synthetic materials, taking the forms of limbs and organs or even entire living organisms. Philosophically, biohybrid
robots make plain something that many scientists and thinkers have suspected. Humans, and other living creatures, are just machines, albeit with organic rather than inorganic parts. With lessons from biohybrid robotics, scientists could one day build a complex, living being from scratch.
In 2014, researchers at the University of Illinois created a microscopic swimming robot. This accomplishment alone might not have attracted much attention. But what set it apart was how they constructed their creation: with cardiac muscle cells derived from rats. This was one of the very first “biohybrid robots.”
With perceptions shaped by decades of science fiction, the general public has long viewed robots as nonbiological entities. Their bones are metal, their hearts are batteries, and their muscles are motors, pistons, and gears. They might be enveloped in real-looking synthetic skin, but this is merely a cloak for their inorganic interiors.
Now, scientific advances have increasingly shown that biological beings aren’t just born; they can be built. Two years after the biohybrid swimmers, researchers at Harvard scaled up the idea to make the first biohybrid “animal” — a 16-millimeter-long ray. With a body of
elastomer, a skeleton of gold, and muscles made of rat cells, the critter glided through the water at a meandering yet meaningful pace, steered and powered by light.
More recently, a team made a small biohybrid robot that walks with a human gait. Another constructed a robotic hand that can sense with built-in biological neural networks.
As creatures and machines meld together in increasingly advanced forms, ethicists are starting to take note. Dr. Rafael Mestre from the University of Southampton, who specializes in emergent technologies, recently teamed up with colleagues from around the world to ponder the ethical ramifications of biohybrid robots.
Biohybrid bots
Essentially, biohybrid robots combine living and synthetic materials. They might have muscle cells as actuators, neurons as motor controllers, and sensory cells as tactile sensors, for example. Some even build upon living organisms themselves. Biohybrid robots take advantage of living systems’ millions of years of evolution to grant robots benefits such as self-healing, greater adaptability, and superior sensor resolution.
But are we ready for a brave new world where blending the artificial and the biological blurs the line between life and non-life? That’s one ethical concern that Mestre and his co-authors probe with a hypothetical scenario. Imagine a future, they write, where “biohybrid systems have evolved to create full-sized robots that can interact with humans and perform complex actions in a very organic manner, assisted by muscular tissue and neuromuscular junctions. Every year, they become more complex, and different types of tissues are added into the mix… As their complexity increases, people wonder
whether they feel pain and are sentient, and how they should interact with them.”
Among these hypothetical bio-bots, where is the point where they are more of a living being rather than a machine? Early versions might start with just a few biological parts but eventually get “upgraded” to contain more tissue than metal as non-living systems are swapped out for living ones. Will they require a living brain to merit our empathy?
Granted, this scenario is currently still within the realm of science fiction. But there’s another that’s getting closer to reality. The researchers foresee humancomputer interfaces “enabling the control of artificial limbs using existing nervous tissue.”
Biohybrid robotic arms, employing “actual and adaptable muscles” extracted from living animals, could arrive in the near future. Biohybrid organs might also become available. Moreover, these limbs and organs could very well exceed the capabilities of our own. Patients in dire need of transplants and prosthetics would likely hail such advances, but the high
costs of cutting-edge tech could limit its availability to the wealthy.
The biohybrid future
Dr. Arthur Caplan, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health in New York City, agreed that cost and access could be a key ethical issue with futuristic biohybrid limbs and organs, as it is with any significant medical advance.
“I think that’s a core justice issue — better to address it now,” he told Big Think in an interview. “This is complicated technology; it’s certainly going to start out pricey. I doubt it will be available anywhere except rich countries. And within the rich countries, there’s a pretty good chance it will go first to the better off.”
Caplan suggests that researchers studying advanced biohybrid robotics could make provisions to ensure diverse access to the technology.
“For example, that may influence who you pick to study this,” he said. “You want to have a rich and varied subject pool, so if the technology works, you haven’t just tested it on 40-year-old wealthy white men,” he said.
Caplan identified other thorny ethical issues with researching biohybrid limbs and organs. For one, teams testing the technology on people should perform their interventions at top-of-the-line transplant centers and ensure subjects are properly informed of the risks, which might include death.
Second, those researchers need to have a plan for what happens if the biohybrid limb or organ fails. “If patients get one of these stuck inside them, then what? Is this what we call a ‘bridge to nowhere’?” Caplan said.
Third, Caplan noted that it’s a legitimate question whether the pursuit of biohybrid organs is a worthwhile use of limited research resources.
“There are obviously a lot of people who might benefit from a bioartificial organ, whether it’s a kidney replacement, muscle replacement, or connectivity replacement. But it’s going to take a while to get there and make sure that it functions with some sustainability and durability. That’s a pretty big research endeavor.”
So, the question becomes: Would those resources spent on biohybrid robotics be better off used to mitigate the problems that might cause people to need them, such as diabetes and obesity? Is it wiser to prevent the malady via tried and tested interventions rather than focus on a faroff, flashy cure?
Caplan stressed that research into biohybrid organs is still very much in the preliminary stages. In the past, there’s been lots of focus on creating synthetic kidneys. These take the form of kidney cells housed in implantable bioreactors.
Philosophically, biohybrid robots make plain something that many scientists and
thinkers have suspected: Humans and other living creatures really are machines, in a relevant sense, albeit with organic rather than inorganic parts.
“Biohybrid robots serve as a platform for understanding life itself,” Mestre and his co-authors wrote. “Developing components for these robots, such as muscle actuators, neuronal circuits as sensors, or neuro-muscular junctions to form intelligent robots, requires a deeper exploration of cells and their behavior beyond traditional Petri dish platforms. Each biohybrid robot emerges into a ‘being’ mimicking ‘development in vitro.’”
With lessons from biohybrid robotics, scientists could one day even build a complex, living being from scratch. But to make breakthrough biohybrid robots a success story rather than a tragedy, the time to consider the ramifications is now. Mestre and his team recommended we get prepared.
An artificial stingray "robot" made from rat heart muscle cells. Credit: Disease Biophysics Group / Harvard SEAS
The Future of Robotics: BrainInspired Navigation Technologies Paving the Way
In the ever-evolving field of robotics, a groundbreaking approach has emerged, revolutionizing how robots perceive, navigate, and interact with their environments. This new frontier, known as brain-inspired navigation technology, integrates insights from neuroscience into robotics, offering enhanced capabilities and efficiency.
A paper on this topic, “A Review of Brain-Inspired Cognition and Navigation Technology for Mobile Robots,” was published in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems on June 27, 2024.
Brain-inspired navigation technologies are not just a mere improvement over traditional methods; they represent a paradigm shift. By mimicking the neural mechanisms of animals, these technologies provide robots with the ability to navigate through complex and unknown terrains with unprecedented accuracy and adaptability.
At the heart of this technology lies the concept of spatial cognition, which is central to how animals, including humans, navigate their environments. Spatial cognition involves the brain’s
ability to organize and interpret spatial data for navigation and memory.
Robots equipped with brain-inspired navigation systems utilize a multi-layered network model that integrates sensory data from multiple sources. This model allows the robot to create a “cognitive map” of its surroundings, much like the neural maps created by the hippocampus in the human brain.
One of the significant advantages of brain-inspired navigation is its robustness in challenging environments. Traditional
The research team at the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Northeastern University uses a variety of sensors to collect environmental data and employs multimodal information fusion to enhance environmental perception. Credit: Yanan Bai, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Northeastern University
navigation systems often struggle with dynamic and unpredictable settings, where the reliance on pre-mapped routes and landmarks can lead to failures.
In contrast, brain-inspired systems continuously learn and adapt, improving their navigational strategies over time. This capability is particularly beneficial in environments like disaster zones or extraterrestrial surfaces, where prior mapping is either impossible or impractical.
Moreover, these systems significantly reduce energy consumption and computational needs. By focusing only on essential data and employing efficient neural network models, robots can operate longer and perform more complex tasks without the need for frequent recharging or maintenance.
The technology’s applications are vast and varied. For instance, autonomous vehicles equipped with brain-inspired systems could navigate more safely and efficiently, reacting in real-time to sudden changes in traffic conditions or road layouts. Similarly, drones used for delivery services could plan their routes more effectively, avoiding obstacles and optimizing delivery times.
Despite its promising potential, the development of brain-inspired navigation technology faces several challenges. Integrating biological principles into mechanical systems is inherently complex, requiring multidisciplinary
efforts from fields such as neuroscience, cognitive science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Moreover, these systems must be scalable and versatile enough to be customized for different types of robotic platforms and applications.
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of the brain’s navigational capabilities, the future of robotics looks increasingly intertwined with the principles of neuroscience. The collaboration across disciplines promises not only to advance our understanding of the brain but also to pave the way for a new generation of intelligent robots. These robots will not only assist in mundane
tasks but also perform critical roles in search and rescue operations, planetary exploration, and much more.
In conclusion, brain-inspired navigation technology represents a significant leap forward in robotics, merging the abstract with the applied, the biological with the mechanical, and the theoretical with the practical. As this technology continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly open new horizons for robotic applications, making machines an even more integral part of our daily lives and work.
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