MalaysianUpdates

Category: Industry & Automation

  • Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase Highlights Future-Ready Semiconductor Innovation at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026

    As Southeast Asia reaches a critical inflection point in the global semiconductor industry, the Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 will demonstrate how artificial intelligence, automation and digital solutions are reshaping semiconductor manufacturing. Powered by Sandisk and SEMI, the showcase presents intelligent manufacturing within a high-volume fabrication environment.

    Conceived as an immersive, guided experience rather than a static exhibition, the showcase takes visitors on a structured journey through the application of smart manufacturing in a high-value semiconductor fabrication setting. Through this curated walkthrough, attendees will gain insight into how automation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming manufacturing processes by enhancing decision-making, improving responsiveness and optimising overall operations in advanced production environments.

    The experience unfolds across multiple stations, illustrating the progression toward a fully intelligent, AI-enabled factory. Visitors will see how digital tools provide real-time visibility and enable faster operational decisions, support more efficient workflows and facilitate predictive and assisted troubleshooting to drive continuous improvement. These elements work together to translate complex concepts into practical, real-world applications that reflect the operations of modern semiconductor facilities.

    The showcase also highlights key technology areas shaping the future of manufacturing. Smart automation enables connected systems that reduce manual intervention and improve efficiency, while AI-enabled manufacturing positions artificial intelligence as an operations co-pilot that supports recommendations, detects anomalies and accelerates response times. This is reinforced by the digitalisation of production data, where structured data capture and automated processes generate reliable, high-quality inputs for analytics and AI-driven insights. In addition, the showcase underscores the importance of human and digital collaboration, demonstrating how intelligent tools are designed to enhance the capabilities of engineers and operators rather than replace them. Together, these pillars reflect a cohesive approach to building more responsive, data-driven and resilient manufacturing environments.

    Linda Tan, President of SEMI Southeast Asia, said the semiconductor industry is entering a defining phase where no single company or market can innovate in isolation. She noted that the “Transform Tomorrow” theme at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 reflects a shared commitment to turning collective ambition into tangible impact, with the Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase developed in collaboration with Sandisk offering a firsthand view of how AI-driven manufacturing is shaping the factories of the future.

    Peng Koon Hew, Senior Director of Automation Development Engineering at Sandisk, added that manufacturing excellence today is defined by how effectively organisations integrate human expertise with AI-driven insights and automated systems. He explained that this balance enables teams to make faster and more informed decisions, respond to variability with confidence and manage complexity while maintaining control on the factory floor.

    SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 will take place from 5 to 7 May at MiTEC, Kuala Lumpur, bringing together global and regional stakeholders to shape the next era of electronics manufacturing. Beyond discussions, the event is positioned as a platform for action where ideas are translated into real-world applications, with the Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase exemplifying this shift by demonstrating how transformation is already taking place across the industry.

    Registration for the Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase is now open, offering attendees an opportunity to experience smart manufacturing in action on the second day of SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026. The showcase forms part of the wider event, where industry leaders will gather to explore the future of the semiconductor ecosystem throughout the three-day programme. For more information, please visit the SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 website.

  • Castrol Reaches Milestone with 3,000+ Branded Workshops Across Malaysia

    Castrol Reaches Milestone with 3,000+ Branded Workshops Across Malaysia

    Castrol Malaysia has strengthened its position in the country’s lubricant market by expanding its network to more than 3,000 branded workshops nationwide, marking a new milestone in how vehicle owners access professional and trusted vehicle care through the Castrol Auto Service and Castrol Bike Point networks. With this extensive network operating across major towns and cities throughout Malaysia, Castrol now provides nationwide access to reliable and professional vehicle servicing for motorists.

    These workshops are designed to offer drivers and riders consistent access to high-quality servicing, supported by Castrol’s trusted product range, collectively serving up to half a million customers each month and reflecting the brand’s strong relationship with everyday motorists. The continued expansion highlights Castrol’s commitment to strengthening its market presence, improving service standards and enhancing accessibility for consumers across the country, while also leveraging digital tools such as the Castrol Motorist App and Google Business integration to improve convenience and workshop visibility.

    According to Joshua Tan, Head of Marketing for Castrol Malaysia and Singapore, this milestone represents more than growth, as it reflects trust built over time. He added that each Castrol-branded workshop represents reliability and professionalism, aligned with the company’s mission to make quality vehicle care more accessible to all vehicle owners, while continuing to drive industry progress through technology, training and strategic partnerships.

    Each Castrol-branded workshop provides professional vehicle maintenance services along with a comprehensive range of Castrol lubricants, supported by global standards and technology. Vehicle owners can also benefit from the Castrol Motorist App, which offers features such as service booking, maintenance tracking and loyalty rewards, delivering added convenience and enhancing the overall customer experience.

    This expansion is supported by continued investment in partner training, digital solutions and long-term customer engagement initiatives, aligning with Castrol’s vision of sustainable growth and leadership in the automotive service industry. Businesses interested in joining the Castrol branded workshop network can obtain more information or register their interest through Castrol Malaysia’s official website.

  • AGIBOT Expands to Malaysia, Commencing a Series of Strategic Moves Across Asia-Pacific

    AGIBOT Expands to Malaysia, Commencing a Series of Strategic Moves Across Asia-Pacific

    AGIBOT, a leading robotics company specializing in embodied intelligence, officially launched in Malaysia on 13 January 2026, marking the start of a series of strategic initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region. The launch event, held at i-City, Selangor, was attended by AGIBOT’s senior leadership team, Malaysian government officials, partners, customers, and media representatives, reaffirming the company’s commitment to advancing automation and building strategic partnerships in Malaysia and beyond.

    Founded in 2023 with the vision of creating robots for the AGI era, AGIBOT focuses on embodied intelligent robots capable of learning, adapting, and evolving in real-world environments. Last year, the company achieved significant milestones, including the rollout of its 5,168th mass-produced humanoid and the deployment of real-world reinforcement learning for embodied AI. These achievements earned AGIBOT the No. 1 global ranking in humanoid robot shipments and market share in 2025, capturing 39% of the market with over 5,100 units shipped, according to Omdia’s General-Purpose Embodied Intelligent Robot 2026 report.

    From left: Mr. Abel Deng, President, Asia-Pacific & Middle East Region, AGIBOT; Mr. Daniel Jiang, Partner & Co-President, AGIBOT; Mr. Deng Taihua, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, AGIBOT; YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation; Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, Chairman, I-Berhad; YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; and Dato’ Eu Hong Chew, Non-Independent Non-Executive Director, I-Berhad.

    The Malaysia launch also coincided with the grand opening of the AI World Experience Centre at i-City, officiated by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), YB Chang Lih Kang. Developed in partnership with I-Berhad, the center integrates AGIBOT’s robotics and AI solutions across property, hospitality, tourism, and urban life, while emphasizing human wellness and longevity. The collaboration includes plans for Malaysia’s first AI and Robotics Residential Tower, designed as a real-world testbed for humanoid robotics and smart living, showcasing the convergence of AI, robotics, health, and wellness in residential environments.

    AGIBOT offers a diversified robotics portfolio catering to commercial, industrial, and research applications. Its lineup includes the full-sized AGIBOT A2 humanoids for guided presentations, compact AGIBOT X2 humanoids for entertainment and education, industrial-grade AGIBOT G2 robots, high-mobility quadruped AGIBOT D1 robots, and autonomous AGIBOT C5 floor-care robots. Across applications ranging from reception and hospitality to intelligent manufacturing, logistics, security, and scientific research, AGIBOT’s robots demonstrate the transformative potential of embodied AI, driving productivity, service innovation, and broader digital transformation initiatives in multiple industries.

    Mr. Abel Deng, President, Asia-Pacific & Middle East Region, AGIBOT, during a presentation at the launch

    AGIBOT’s launch in Malaysia represents a key milestone in its Asia-Pacific expansion, setting the stage for long-term collaboration with regional partners to accelerate the adoption of embodied robotics, foster technological innovation, and establish Malaysia as a regional hub for AI and robotics development.