I-Berhad goes big on AI, robotics to make i-City a smart living hub

New Straits Times

08-07-2025

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.