National Robotics Roadmap

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew moderately compared to the East Asia and Pacific region since 2001. Although the manufacturing and services sector contributes almost 79% of GDP, the adoption of high technology in both sectors remains low, at 37% and 20% respectively.

Current challenges that inhibit Malaysia’s GDP growth are:

1. Labour productivity growth hovers around 1.8% compared to the 3.6% average of developed countries; we are lagging behind.
2. Percentage of low-skilled foreign workers has increased from 34% in 2010 to 46% in 2019. Almost half of Malaysia’s low-skilled workers are of foreign origin.
3. There are about 2 million foreign labourers (minimum wage ~RM 1,100/month/worker) resulting inan outflow of around RM2.2 billion per month (RM26.4 billion per year).
4. Malaysia’s population will rise to 40 million by 2050; people aged above 65 will increase from 5% to 16.3% in 2050.
5. Malaysia is not excluded from unprecedented global crises and pandemics. To date, COVID-19 has resulted in 32,114 deaths.

Robotics is a key technology to address these challenges and catalyst for Malaysia’s aspirations. It will work hand in hand with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) as well as other emerging technologies to advance thenation.

ASM was mandated by MOSTI to develop the National Robotics Roadmap (NRR) 2021-2030 for Malaysia’s robotics development and agendas. In relation to this, the ASM Task Force on Robotics was led by Professor Ir Dr Khairul Salleh Mohamed Sahari and consists of experts from academia, industry and research institute.

NRR 2021-2030 was specially formulated to strengthen Malaysia as a robotics USER by increasing the adoption of robotics technology and building Malaysia’s capacity and capabilities as a robotics DEVELOPER. Envisioning Malaysia to become a regional robotics hub in Services, Agriculture and Manufacturing by 2030, the roadmap highlighted three high-impact sectors and five strategic thrusts as key pillars, accompanied by 19 strategies and 24 initiatives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]