Latest news with #i-City
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
I-Berhad goes big on AI, robotics to make i-City a smart living hub
KUALA LUMPUR: I-Berhad, the developer of Malaysia's flagship digital township i-City, is doubling down on its boldest vision yet, embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into every layer of its operations, customer experience, and commercial ecosystem to cement i-City's position as the country's capital for smart urban living. Far beyond typical digital upgrades, I-Berhad's next phase sees AI and robotics not just as tools for efficiency or novelty but as the very operating system that will shape how i-City works and grows. "This isn't about putting a single robot in a lobby. It's about building a city that learns, responds, and delivers," said Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, chairman of I-Berhad, adding that technology has always been part of i-City's DNA, not just a branding tagline. He pointed out that the strategy revolves around three key pillars: transforming internal operations, reimagining customer offerings, and positioning i-City as Malaysia's national hub for AI and robotics business. Within its operations, I-Berhad is already deploying AI to gain sharper insights across property and hospitality assets, from predictive maintenance and automated guest services to data-driven cost optimisation and real-time analytics to boost efficiency and service quality. Robotics pilots have begun as well, with service robots, including robot chefs at Wyndham Suites KLCC, being trialled to automate food and beverage operations, Lim said. "But the group's biggest bet is to bring robots into everyday living for residents and tenants. I-Berhad is exploring "kitchen packages" for new homes that could one day come with robot chefs, just like fridges and cookers today." Lim said that plans are also underway for delivery robots to bring food from local outlets directly to residents, all orchestrated via the i-City AI agent SuperApp, the township's integrated AI assistant. "It's just like when we bundled fibre broadband into homes two decades ago. It makes properties stickier and life more convenient," Lim told Business Times. Another major push is to transform i-City into Malaysia's national centre for AI and robotics commerce. Taking inspiration from Kuala Lumpur's iconic Low Yat Plaza, long known as the country's IT retail hub, I-Berhad wants to attract robotics retailers, startups, and global tech brands to anchor their presence in i-City's retail spaces. A new Request for Proposals (RFP) has been launched to invite partners in four key areas: retail showcases, education partnerships, SuperApp integration, and live deployments in theme parks and public spaces. "The goal is to make i-City a springboard for AI and robotics players eyeing the Asean market, using our annual footfall of over 10 million visitors as a test bed to showcase and refine new products," said I-Berhad director Datuk Eu Hong Chew. He added that the RFP is part of the group's broader strategy to reinvent its RM1 billion asset base in i-City, shifting from a traditional developer into a platform that integrates, showcases, and monetises AI and robotics. "We have three big strategic goals for AI and robotics," Eu said. "First, we're transforming internal operations — using AI for smarter decision-making, predictive maintenance, customer service, and financial analytics across our hospitality and property portfolio. "Second, we're using AI and robots to elevate what we offer our customers. Think of robot chefs bundled into kitchen packages for new homes, delivery bots serving residents, or concierge and security robots, all managed through our SuperApp." The third goal, EU explained, is to make AI and robotics a commercial pillar for the company. "We're turning i-City into Malaysia's 'Low Yat Plaza for robotics', clustering robotics retailers, education labs, startups, and B2B showcases in one ecosystem. The RFP invites partners to help us build this ecosystem and position i-City as a regional launchpad for global tech brands wanting Asean entry," he said. "AI and robotics are still evolving, so the RFP is our corporate way of casting a wide net to bring in the best partners and ideas. The other approach comes from Lim's early legacy. He was Malaysia's earliest investor in China in the 1980s and he is now building on his ties to translate into strategic alliances with China-centric AI and robotics players," Eu added. Beyond traditional development, Eu said I-Berhad is also focused on maximising the value of its land by turning i-City into a "living lab" for Malaysian universities, startups, and researchers to run real-world AI and robotics trials, supported by i-City's existing visitor base and infrastructure.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
I-Bhd unveils RM10mil AI and Robotics rollout to future-proof i-City
KUALA LUMPUR: I-Bhd, the master developer of i-City in Shah Alam, has committed RM10 million to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics infrastructure across its portfolio of income-generating assets, with the initiative expected to be completed by 2028. In line with its long-term digital strategy, the company is currently in discussions with leading global technology players including Unitree, DeepSeek, and Baidu to transform i-City into a scalable, AI-powered smart city. The rollout will begin at Mercu Maybank, a 33-storey corporate tower serving as Maybank's alternate headquarters, and will extend to high-profile assets such as Wyndham Suites I-City, Wyndham Suites KLCC, Wyndham Garden, DoubleTree by Hilton i-City, Central-City Mall, the i-City theme park, car parks, a data centre, and residential components. Director Datuk Eu Hong Chew said the investment is not a trend-driven move but part of a deliberate strategy to ensure long-term relevance and competitiveness for I-Bhd's business and assets. "We're not just adding tech for the sake of it. This is about sustaining performance, unlocking value, and enabling intelligent systems to optimise asset efficiency and user experience," Eu said. The initiative aligns with I-Bhd's "value extraction" strategy introduced in 2024 to maximise returns from i-City's RM10 billion gross development value (GDV). With over 50 per cent of completed GDV comprising income-generating properties, the company is now entering a new phase focused on performance optimisation and smart infrastructure. Under its four-year technology roadmap, I-Bhd aims to embed AI and robotics into both operational systems and customer-facing services—ranging from predictive maintenance and energy management to visitor flow optimisation and robotics-assisted hospitality. The company's proprietary i-City SuperApp will serve as the digital backbone of the ecosystem, integrating Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) features that will eventually be made available to tenants and residents to enhance their operations. "When we launched i-City, we didn't set out to build just another property development. We set out to build Malaysia's first digital city. We set out to build a place where infrastructure, technology, and people come together to create lasting value. "That's how we became the first to deploy fibre-to-home as a core utility and build a Tier-3 data centre. But that was just Phase 1. "We kept the technology ecosystem dynamic and scalable for future enhancements. Today, as technology matures, we are ready and entering Phase 2, where intelligence is embedded into the ecosystem. This phase is where the city starts to think, learn, and adapt," Eu said. AI will allow the company to manage buildings more intelligently through predictive maintenance, energy optimisation, and visitor flow management, while robotics will assist in service delivery, from concierge bots to logistics and cleaning, he said. "AI and robots are expensive today, especially for individuals or small businesses. But with RM1 billion in assets, we have the scale to deploy and share this infrastructure. Over time, as the tech matures, we expect it to be accessible within corporate budgets," said Eu. He added that I-Bhd is following the same playbook it used two decades ago, working with strategic partners to integrate advanced technology that enhances property value and maintains i-City's edge as Malaysia's leading tech city. "When we started i-City, it wasn't just about building property. It was about building a digital city. Phase one was about infrastructure, fibre-to-home, and Tier-3 data centres. Now we're entering Phase Two, where the city begins to think, learn, and adapt," he said. Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong echoed the sentiment, adding that AI and robotics represent the next frontier in delivering value across I-Bhd's ecosystem.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Corporate support grows for Madani workers' card, I-Berhad among early adopters
KUALA LUMPUR: Support for the Madani workers' card initiative—announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Labour Day celebrations—is gaining momentum as more companies come on board to recognise and reward Malaysia's workforce. One of the early corporate adopters is I-Berhad, the master developer behind the 72-acre i-City development in Shah Alam, Selangor. Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said the Madani workers' card initiative comes at a timely moment, as Malaysians continue to grapple with a rising cost of living. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), living expenses have been on an upward trend—driven by both global economic uncertainties and domestic policy challenges. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has identified key contributors to the inflationary pressure this year, including higher prices in food and beverages, accommodation services, personal care, education and insurance and financial services. Economists point to a mix of external shocks and internal structural issues as the root causes behind the persistent rise in household expenses. "Rising living costs have severely impacted low-income households, leaving them with little to no disposable income and, in some cases, struggling to make ends meet," Lim said. Lim confirmed that the company is extending exclusive privileges across its key leisure and hospitality assets. These benefits, offered via the i-City SuperApp, include attractions such as SnoWalk and WynSnow, as well as its trio of hotels—DoubleTree by Hilton, Wyndham Garden, and Wyndham Suites. "At I-Berhad, we view the Madani Workers' Card not only as a national recognition of our workforce but also as a tangible effort to address one of Malaysia's most pressing socioeconomic challenges—income disparity," Lim told Business Times. "We strongly believe that all Malaysians, particularly those from the lower- and middle-income groups, should have access to quality leisure and hospitality experiences. While structural reforms take time, this initiative provides immediate relief—and we are proud to support it." He added that the Madani Workers' Card directly supports I-Berhad's mission of community upliftment and is expected to strengthen the company's resonance with local families and working adults. The Madani workers' card, introduced by the federal government and led by the Human Resources Ministry, provides unionised workers with discounts on a wide range of goods and services. Participating brands include Aeon, Mydin, Jakel, Marrybrown, Genting, OldTown White Coffee, Zus Coffee, Socar and Bateriku. Highlighting the broader vision of the programme, Ministry Secretary General Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said at the launch, "More than just a discount card, this initiative is about recognising the contribution of Malaysian workers to nation-building and improving their access to lifestyle, health, and family well-being," he said. With over one million workers expected to benefit from the scheme, the partnership could boost weekday visitation, off-peak hotel occupancy, and overall domestic tourism—contributing to more stable, recurring income, a strategic focus for the group. The government's efforts appear to dovetail with I-Berhad's ongoing business transformation. Once a traditional property developer, the group has been actively pivoting toward an asset-led model anchored in sustainable recurring revenue. This includes tighter integration between its i-City SuperApp, physical infrastructure, and tourism-centric offerings. Currently, over 6,500 people work within the i-City ecosystem, including staff across I-Berhad's theme parks, shopping mall, and hotel operations, as well as employees based in major commercial offices such as Mercu Maybank and tenants within Central i-City Mall. Lim said this diverse and growing workforce forms a vital part of the local economy and reinforces i-City's role as a key employment and lifestyle hub in Shah Alam. According to a portfolio manager at a Kuala Lumpur-based investment firm, who requested anonymity, "With strong fundamentals and a national initiative now feeding into its core operations, I-Berhad could see incremental upside in its second quarter earnings, especially if footfall and booking trends hold." In the fiscal year 2024, the company's leisure and hospitality segment posted a 132 per cent increase in profit before tax, while its property division saw profits surge over 500 per cent, backed by strong sales at BeCentral Tower 1 and unbilled sales of RM95.2 million.
