ACO TECH, UTAR ESTABLISH R&D LAB TO ADVANCE SMART MOBILITY IN MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur, 30 January 2024 – ACO Tech and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) today inaugurated a pioneering joint research and development (R&D) lab dedicated to advancing smart mobility. The lab facilitates cutting-edge research on smart mobility solutions, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing towards to enhancing the safety and convenience of on-road travel.

The collaborative lab focuses on three key fields in the initial phase i.e. vehicle-to-vehicle communications, smart parking, and smart mobility solutions. By pooling knowledge and expertise in these domains, the aim is to bring about breakthroughs that will contribute to safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation systems. This reflects the commitment of ACO Tech and UTAR to addressing challenges in the realm of smart mobility and progressing Malaysiathe national transport ecosystem.

ACO Tech brings onboard expertise in developing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems and experience in connected car technology, complementing UTAR’s proficiency in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing for traffic management. Beyond the technological essence, the lab serves as an avenue to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration for a more comprehensive approach to reducing accidents and congestion.

The immediate focus will be to kick-start the lab’s operations. The team will actively engage with potential stakeholders, reaching out to industry partners and governmental bodies, while simultaneously developing a comprehensive funding proposal to secure additional resources for the ongoing success of the research project.

ACO Tech Chief Executive Officer Mr Li Pu commented, “We are always looking to strengthen our partnerships, particularly in the field of smart mobility-related research and development. The uniqueness of this collaboration lies in the synergy between ACO Tech’s practical industry know-how and UTAR’s R&D facilities. We will support the lab with ACO Tech’s proficiency in connected car technology while UTAR will bring their R&D capabilities to the table. We firmly believe this collaboration holds the potential to advance smart mobility solutions in Malaysia, setting new benchmarks for innovation and impact. We are excited about the prospects that this lab holds for realising smart mobility and believe it a positive step towards a smarter, safer, and more connected future for Malaysian roads.”

UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said, “The collaboration between ACO Tech and UTAR is not just a partnership; it’s a synergy of knowledge, innovation, and practical application. It highlights the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world challenges. The ACO Tech – UTAR Joint R&D Lab exemplifies the power of such collaborations, where academia nurtures the seeds of ideas, and industry helps them bloom into tangible solutions.”

This latest milestone comes after two years of successful close university-industry collaboration to facilitate joint projects involving collaborative research and sharing of expertise.

Since the signing of their partnership on 13 April 2022, ACO Tech and UTAR have forged a robust collaborative relationship through various joint initiatives. These include a successful joint application for an international research grant, providing valuable industry learning internships for UTAR students at ACO Tech, and enrolling ACO Tech staff in postgraduate programmes at UTAR. Having nurtured a fruitful collaboration over the past two years, ACO Tech and UTAR are poised to strengthen their partnership with the establishment of this joint R&D lab, which symbolises the mutual commitment to leading the advancements in smart mobility.