AI advancements are driving rapid progress in robotics worldwide, with autonomous robots now operating across a range of sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture.
With much of this dynamism centred in Asia, and China rising as an innovation hotspot, the HKTDC has pushed robotics to the forefront in its anchor innovation and technology (I&T) events.
At our latest I&T fairs – InnoEX and Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) – in April this year, robotics technology applications took centre stage to showcase Hong Kong as a leading international I&T hub and advance the development of the robotics ecosystem in the region and beyond.
More than 100 robots performed a dazzling variety of tasks in the inaugural RoboPark zone, drawing widespread admiration and acclaim.
Attracting more than 88,000 buyers from 155 countries and regions for high-value connection-building and business matching, the two annual events connect global I&T by assisting Chinese Mainland firms to go global and international companies to enter the Asia market via Hong Kong.
Among the buyers the HKTDC has facilitated connections and deal-making for is Dr Hanafiah Yussof, Founder and CEO of Malaysia-based Robopreneur, who is a regular Electronics Fair attendee.
After first going into business as a start-up back in 2015, the robotics specialist has grown dramatically to become a market leader in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.
The firm’s initial focus was on robotic systems providing therapy and education for autistic children, commercialising research that Dr Yussof had worked on at Malaysia’s prestigious MARA University of Technology.
The pioneering company still works on social applications, but now serves a wide variety of commercial and industrial sectors as well, including healthcare, hospitality, energy and agriculture, after identifying significant unmet demand for robotics services in Malaysia.
Today, Robopreneur counts major multinationals, including BMW, Google, Hitachi and Nestlé, as well as some of Malaysia’s biggest corporates, such as Air Asia, Hong Leong Bank, Maxis and Petronas, among its clients.
A fast-evolving sector
The HKTDC’s Electronics Fair helps Dr Yussof and his team stay ahead of the curve, keeping pace with the latest trends and developments, while connecting with a myriad of suppliers and production partners.
Thanks to the fair’s appeal, the pricing is competitive, while the range of top-quality products, especially from China, is second to none.
“The fair serves as a great bridge between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, especially within the robotics sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years,” Dr Yussof remarks.
He anticipates spending US$2 million annually with companies he has met at the fair.
“I plan to return to source new products for launch in the future. This is definitely the event I will attend.”
Aside from attending the HKTDC’s anchor fairs in Hong Kong, the robotics specialist benefits from the Council’s ongoing support via its office in Malaysia.
Our branch office in Kuala Lumpur not only helps Hong Kong firms enter the Malaysian market, but also offers assistance to Malaysian entities to expand internationally via the dynamic Hong Kong platform.
It continues to help Dr Yussof and his team understand the latest developments in the Hong Kong and wider China market and connect him with key players.
Most recently, this included helping facilitate new business leads at a major Hong Kong Dinner in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, which was attended by Hong Kong and Malaysian government and business leaders.
An HKTDC-facilitated meeting with Prof Sun Dong, Hong Kong SAR Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, enabled Dr Yussof to learn about the latest robotics trends and opportunities in Hong Kong and the ways in which the Hong Kong platform can facilitate his company’s ongoing expansion.
Dr Yussof plans to attend the HKTDC’s next major I&T event, the Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), which returns on 13-16 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.