Shah alam: I-Berhad is accelerating the deployment of Robotics-as-a-Service (RAAS) across its property portfolio with a substantial RM1 billion investment. This move aims to position artificial intelligence (AI)-based automation as a central element in property management, hospitality, lifestyle, and asset operations, starting as early as next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, I-Berhad chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong emphasized that the initiative is poised to place the company and i-City at the forefront of smart city development in Malaysia. This advancement will be achieved through the comprehensive integration of intelligent technology, utilizing advanced task execution systems and equipment.
Lim highlighted that RAAS enhances efficiency, reduces operating costs, and creates more sustainable revenue streams. It enables i-City to deploy domestic service robots to residences at costs comparable to those of existing domestic helper services. Moreover, RAAS supports I-Berhad's digital transformation strategy by leveraging AI to develop an innovative and future-oriented smart city ecosystem.
The announcement was made during the launch of the AI World Experience Centre, attended by notable figures such as I-Berhad director Datuk Eu Hong Chew, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board senior director Wizani Rosmin, and others from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Lim further elaborated that the RM1 billion investment demonstrates the potential for technology-based returns, which could attract both local and international investors, particularly in the high-tech property and hospitality sectors, to invest in i-City. He stated that i-City will be developed as a smart city powered by automation and AI, integrating technology, lifestyle, and various services into a single comprehensive platform.
As a practical demonstration of RAAS technology, I-Berhad launched the AI World Experience Centre at i-City, allowing visitors to witness humanoid robots and AI automation systems in operation within a real-world environment. Lim noted that the center showcases AI's crucial role in reshaping daily life, including learning, healthcare management, and lifestyle transformation in smart living and working environments.
Lim asserted that this approach forms the foundation for i-City's next phase of development through AI World Development. This phase integrates education, well-being, and sustainable living elements within an AI-based smart city ecosystem. The implementation of RAAS marks a significant step towards establishing i-City as a technology-driven smart city, enhancing functionality, efficiency, and the overall urban lifestyle experience.
The RAAS initiative will also underpin the official launch of the AI World Experience Centre on January 13, which is expected to further solidify i-City's position as a leading digital innovation and smart city hub in Malaysia. Lim emphasized that this move underscores I-Berhad's commitment to driving smart city transformation in Malaysia through intelligent technology, AI-based automation, and the integration of RAAS across all aspects of property and lifestyle development.
Currently, the AI World Experience Centre is open to the public in preview mode, with future phases set to feature a broader range of exhibitions and programs focused on education, innovation, and exposure to future technologies. The center boasts more than 100 humanoid robots developed by the leading global robotics company AGIBOT, offering visitors a realistic and futuristic interactive experience.