Johor: Johor is set to become the production base for artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cleaning robots under a technology transfer partnership between a local company and a Chinese robotics firm. Indah Holding Venture (M) Sdn Bhd director Datuk B Ravintharan announced plans to manufacture these robots at the company's Senai factory, targeting both export and domestic markets.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collaboration was initiated through an introduction by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to a Chinese robotics company seeking a local partner. Indah Holding, which currently provides conventional cleaning services, has already invested approximately RM850,000 in its factory renovations and production facilities. The first AI cleaning robot, valued at about RM35,000, is expected to arrive on July 26 or 27 for testing, assembly, and production preparation.
"Our first customer has projected demand of up to 70,000 units a year. Based on that forecast, we are targeting annual sales of between RM18 million and RM20 million during the initial phase from 2026 to 2028. Within five years, we aim to increase annual sales to RM50 million by expanding into new markets and lowering production costs," Ravintharan told Bernama.
The robots will be manufactured in Johor and exported to markets such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Europe. The company also plans to introduce them to the domestic market within one to two years, focusing on commercial users like shopping malls, factories, airports, and data centers. The project is expected to generate hundreds of jobs in its initial phase, particularly for local technicians and engineers, emphasizing an entirely local workforce, particularly from Johor.
Ravintharan highlighted plans to source plastic, metal, and electronic components from local suppliers to ensure small and medium enterprises (SMEs) benefit from the project's supply chain. Senai was chosen for its strategic location within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and its proximity to key logistical hubs such as Senai International Airport, the North-South Expressway, and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas.
Indah Holding chairman Datuk Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja stated that the project aligns with the government's efforts to boost local participation in high-technology manufacturing, in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) and the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP). MIDA Johor director Mohamad Reduan Mohd Zabri emphasized the project's role in positioning Johor as a leading high-technology manufacturing hub and expressed MIDA's commitment to collaborating with the Johor government and relevant agencies to identify more local companies for the JS-SEZ ecosystem.
He added that increased investment in the JS-SEZ would offer substantial opportunities for local SMEs to participate in high-technology industries, supply chains, and supporting sectors.