KUALA LUMPUR (May 25): SESTO Robotics, a Singapore-based robotics company in the field of autonomous technology says with the current demand for semiconductors, it foresees a lot of upcoming technological developments in the Malaysian manufacturing and electrical and electronics (E&E) industries due to an increased interest in automation and the Internet of Things.

In an email interview with theedgemarkets.com, SESTO Robotics chief executive officer Michael Leong said even though there is a wide talent pool in these industries in Malaysia, some of the mid-term challenges the country might face would be the increased pressure from regional markets already setting the bar high with the creation of new products and enhanced production processes.

“This places immense pressure on the Malaysian market in the long run and Malaysian companies will face tough competition from countries such as China, Philippines and Vietnam that are steadily gaining a stronger foothold in both the manufacturing and E&E industries.

“The challenge therein lies in maintaining competitiveness in the current business climate among the other key players,” he said.

On what should be on the industry’s wish list if one were to be presented to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a proponent of advancement in technology, Leong said: “The main wish would be to promote rapport and partnerships between companies of different sizes that serve the manufacturing and E&E industries in Malaysia.

“One suggestion would be that the government could help provide opportunities or a platform for various companies including robotics firms such as SESTO Robotics to provide sustainable and scalable solutions through innovation, research and development.

“This will help steer the industry to maintain its long term competitiveness to produce high value products,” he said.

On plans going forward, Leong said with its experience in the semiconductor industry, SESTO Robotics is keen to serve the semiconductor companies in Malaysia and replicate its success in other countries here in Malaysia as well.

“We also plan to grow an engineering team to better serve the Malaysian market in the future,” he said.

However, Leong declined to provide any detail on investments for now, saying it is “confidential”.