The quadruped robots from Weston Robot can be deployed to patrol buildings and survey areas with its object detection technology. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
As Malaysia targets 80% 5G network coverage in populated areas by year-end, CelcomDigi is set to launch initiatives promoting the adoption of the next-generation network among local businesses.
“To push 5G, we need a robust ecosystem,” said Datuk Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi, at the company’s inaugural MY5G Conference and Showcase in Kuala Lumpur, which drew over 400 leaders and decision-makers representing 220 companies spanning 30 different industries.
“As a nation, we have a digital aspiration for a digital economy; this is where the rubber hits the road. Not when you watch YouTube over 5G, not when you watch TikTok over 5G.
“This is the industrialisation of 5G, IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to become more competitive not just locally but also globally,” he said.
To illustrate one of the company’s achievements, Idham highlighted CelcomDigi’s collaboration with DHL Supply Chain in introducing Malaysia’s first 5G-powered autonomous AI warehouse.
According to CelcomDigi’s Idham, the government has been supportive of funding digitalisation, with the goal of ensuring that SMEs (small and midsize enterprises) continue to be the lifeblood of the Malaysian economy. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
“DHL’s integrated logistics centre in Shah Alam, which is its largest warehouse in the country – about one million square feet (92,900 sq m) – is equipped with the latest AI and robotics solutions for optimised and efficient inventory management,” he said, underscoring the company’s commitment to accelerate 5G adoption across businesses.
Exploring new horizons
A local company, XR Associates (XRA), is harnessing 5G’s low latency to power its augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) software.
XRA offers a solution that creates virtual replicas of industrial facilities, enabling site monitoring, AR support from remote experts, and access to AR training and assistance content.
“This solution has already been applied overseas with 5G and requires the low latency afforded by the network for real-time monitoring and response.
“All the assets and data are uploaded to our systems for access by mobile devices, tablets, and smart glasses like the HoloLens, so the data transmission capacity of the network is also important to what we do,” said XR solution architect Kumaresan Shanmugam.
He added that the 5G network is essential, especially in cases involving the development of a remote virtual twin to gather real-time data.
The CelcomDigi MY5G Showcase featured 18 of the company’s 5G partners on the showfloor. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Among the local exhibitors, Sole Vision Technologies, a video surveillance analytics provider, leveraged the power of 5G to optimise the integration of AI within its service offerings.
The 5G network enabled the company’s smart surveillance system to offer real-time licence plate and vehicle identification, as well as facial recognition.
Its sales manager, Jun Yee, said that the “widespread development of 5G has significantly improved system connectivity”.
“It has also contributed to substantial cost reductions, particularly related to cable installation and associated labour expenses. 5G now enables us to readily offer our services to clients without incurring significant implementation costs,” he said.
Due to progress in AI and IoT technologies, video surveillance has evolved into a sophisticated field where the true value of surveillance footage lies in its ability to provide valuable data-driven insights to users, he added.
“We’re living in an era where users demand high-quality video resolutions, which translates to more data and bandwidth required.
“A 4G network might not be sufficient for meeting the high bandwidth requirements of high-resolution video cameras.
“Our partnership with CelcomDigi gives us a huge advantage as they deliver stable and high-speed 5G network services with extensive coverage across Malaysia’s populated regions,” said Yee.
Meanwhile, healthcare claims management solution company Medilink-Global is exploring telehealth services with a system that will allow it to listen to a patient’s heartbeat remotely.
Medilink-Global medical strategist, Dr Shahjahan Kassim, said its solution, which was developed during the pandemic, can help provide medical attention to those living in rural areas where urgent care is not always available.
“The problem now is that doctors can’t always travel to remote areas to attend to a patient. So we have this cart (consisting of a computer, camera and connected stethoscope) that can be managed by the head of the village to connect patients to a doctor,” he said.
Idham (centre) checks out Garuda Robotics’ drone, which can be controlled remotely, even from a different state, via a 5G connection. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Moving on, Garuda Robotics has also utilised the capabilities of 5G to facilitate remote drone operations through its Plex Horizon platform.
“You could be in Kuala Lumpur, but be piloting the drone in Sabah or Sarawak – the pilot does not have to be in the field,” said Isyraq Sallehhin, Garuda Robotics test site manager.
The Singaporean government has contracted Garuda Robotics to implement its MyDroneFleets drone monitoring system, which requires the registration and installation of tracking devices on all commercially operated drones in the nation.
“The point of it is to provide a safe and controlled space to fly drones so that regulators have one-click access to figure out what drones are flying where, all at the tips of their fingers.
“All these systems depend on 5G to deliver high-resolution video and low latency to allow for immediate response.
“Otherwise, we would experience lag, with the video feed being delayed and slow drone response, causing the drone to turn left or right seconds after the input,” he said.
Driving digitalisation
According to CelcomDigi’s Idham, the government has been supportive of funding digitalisation, with the goal of ensuring that SMEs (small and midsize enterprises) continue to be the lifeblood of the Malaysian economy.
“Under Budget 2024, the government has announced various initiatives, including RM100mil digitalisation grants; this will benefit more than 20,000 SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs.
“All of these point to a golden opportunity for all of us to grow together, develop together, and succeed together in our shared aspiration of advancing and achieving not just our own but the country’s digital aspirations,” Idham said.
