Latest news with #2025WorldExpo
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Green tech, AI and robots galore: Highlights from the 2025 World Expo in Japan
The 2025 World Expo in Osaka is now in full swing after kicking off back in April. The event welcomed over one million visitors in its first 13 days, with organisers aiming for a total of 28.2 million attendees over the course of the six-month event. Held every five years in a designated host country, the World Expo is an international showcase of culture, technological advancements, innovation, and inventions from nations (including Malaysia) and companies from around the world, presented in buildings specially built for the exposition called 'Pavilions'. This marks the second time that Osaka has hosted the World Expo, with the last time being back in 1970. Malaysia meets the world True to the theme of 'Weaving a Future in Harmony', Malaysia's Pavilion laid out a roadmap for the country's ambition to become a 'Smart Nation' by 2040, in a gallery splitting this ambition into several phases. Malaysia's Pavilion laid out a roadmap for the country's ambition to become a 'Smart Nation' by 2040, with a gallery splitting this ambition into several phases. This includes implementing integrated command centres from 2026 to 2030, with the aim of monitoring cities in real-time to ensure more efficient operation, allowing data-driven decision-making that would make predictions for traffic management and public safety trends. From 2031 to 2035, Malaysia envisions smarter and more responsive cities through advanced analytics and Internet of Things sensors operating in cities, with data shared across government agencies, enhancing services like waste management, energy efficiency, crime prevention, mobility, and infrastructure. Under the roadmap, Malaysia would finally achieve 'visionary smart cities' by 2040, with liveable, sustainable, safe, and seamlessly connected urban spaces. The pavilion also showcased a diorama of Kuala Lumpur, complete with a projection-mapped light show highlighting key landmarks and train lines throughout the city. It also featured an augmented reality (AR) element, with tablets providing explanations when the camera is pointed at a specific part of the city. The booth highlighted Malaysia's robust QR payment systems offered through various payment platforms, including DuitNow, MAE, GrabPay, TNG eWallet and Agro Bank, while also showcasing registered intellectual properties. Attendees could learn more about landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers, the Tun Razak Exchange, and public transportation systems like the LRT and monorail lines by tapping on the AR overlay panels that are displayed on the tablet. The overlays display information about the landmarks, infrastructure, and offer suggestions for other sites to explore. Ministries are taking turns serving as exhibitors at the Malaysia Pavilion during the Expo, with the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry (KPDN) managing the booth during LifestyleTech's visit. The booth highlighted Malaysia's robust QR payment systems offered through various payment platforms, including DuitNow, MAE, GrabPay, TNG eWallet (see story on p4), and Agrobank, while also showcasing registered intellectual properties. A Hall of Fame celebrating notable figures from Malaysia's past and present. At the end of the Malaysia Pavilion was a Hall of Fame, celebrating notable figures from the nation's past and present, spanning a wide range of fields. This includes national athletes like Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol Ann David, along with stars like Tan Sri P. Ramlee and Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. Riding the future Several Pavilions exhibited robots and their potential to transform the future of humanity. For instance, the Robot & Mobility Station by the East Gate of the Expo included a mix of experiences and demos leveraging robotics. On display was an AI (artificial intelligence) suitcase developed by the Consortium for Advanced Assistive Mobility Platform, meant to guide visually impaired people to requested destinations. This AI 'suitcase' guides those with vision impairments with voice and tactile directions. Despite the name, the suitcase provides no storage space whatsoever, with its internals completely filled with sensors, including lidar, which is commonly used with autonomous vehicles, a satellite positioning antenna, and camera. These sensors would then be used to detect obstacles and provide guidance through voice directions, with additional tactile directions provided through a spinning dial on the handle. The station also had three varieties of mobility devices, including the Daihatsu e-Sneaker, which could be rented for use around the Expo grounds. The e-Sneaker is capable of a top speed of 4km per hour, with a maximum range of 12km. The e-Sneaker can be borrowed by attendees to get around the Expo. Equipped with a row of sensors on the front and back, it can detect people and obstacles in front of riders, automatically dropping speed to 1kph to avoid collisions. Alongside it was the larger Waku Mobi scooter, capable of a much higher top speed of 20kph, boasting greater stability during rides due to its entire body being able to tilt without shifting the rider when on uneven surfaces. The Waku Mobi scooter can remain stable even when on jagged terrain for smoother rides. Meanwhile, the wheelchair-like Uni-One can move in any direction and is controlled by riders shifting their body weight or leaning, entirely hands-free. The Future City Pavilion featured the Corleo, a concept all-terrain vehicle from Kawasaki. As the name implies, it is meant to look like a robotic lion which people can ride like a horse. Kawasaki's all-terrain concept vehicle, the Corleo, looks like a robotic lion. Though based on the video shown behind the Corleo at the event, it might be more apt to describe it as a mountain goat, since it was mainly depicted in hilly and mountainous environments. Behind the Pavilion is the advanced air mobility vehicle from Lift Aircraft called Hexa, which was unfortunately only a static display during LifestyleTech's visit. It is unclear if it will be taking flight sometime later during the Expo. Robotics galore Also at the Future City Pavilion were completely autonomous farming robots from Kubota, a Japanese agricultural machinery company, with units in two different sizes on show. The larger Type V model is intended as a versatile platform capable of handling every stage of farming, from tilling to harvesting using various attachments and tools, while the smaller Type S is meant to be an assistant robot that can haul cargo and perform more precise tasks. Type V and Type S: Two multifunction agriculture robots were shown off at the Future Cities Pavilion. This is the Type S. Then there's the MechatroMate Q from robotics company Living Robot, a small elder care robot that doubles as a cross between a walking smartphone and a smart home hub. It can deliver video calls from family members directly to the person it's caring for with its built-in 13-megapixel camera, provide medication reminders, control appliances like air conditioners, and even contact emergency services if something goes wrong. The MechatroMate Q is an elder care robot that pulls double duty by making calls and giving medication reminders. Another robot on show was the Qlogo Reactive Ver. 2, which is a telepresence robot, meaning that it can be controlled by someone off-site and be tasked with a specific job that can be performed in real-time. Back at the Robot & Mobility Station are space-themed experiences, including a virtual reality spacewalk, which puts attendees in the seat of a space shuttle launch. The simulator chair even rotates 360° around to mimic zero gravity and the intensity of a shuttle launch. Alongside it is a moon driving experience with a simulator setup with hydraulics to simulate the rugged lunar surface, and the remote operation of excavation equipment on the moon with joysticks. Cutting-edge vending machines No conversation about exploring Japan would be complete without a vending machine mention. Aside from all vending machines on the Expo's grounds accepting card and QR payments in line with the event's cashless vision, vending machine providers are also honing in on sustainability tech. Fuji Electric and Coca-Cola's vending machine can be powered by hydrogen. A hydrogen-powered vending machine co-developed by Fuji Electric and Coca-Cola was also on show. While it works about the same as a regular vending machine, what makes it special is the replaceable hydrogen cartridges it uses as a power source. Rather than requiring a power outlet (and the associated infrastructure like power lines and electrical grids), these vending machines operate so long as the hydrogen cartridges are replaced when depleted. The hydrogen cartridges provide energy through a chemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen, allowing these vending machines to be installed basically anywhere. This would also mean the vending machines would be powered by a clean energy source, assuming that green hydrogen is used, meaning that the production process gives off zero emissions. For context, grey hydrogen, which emits carbon dioxide when produced, accounted for around 92% of the hydrogen produced in 2022, according to a Forbes report. During LifestyleTech's visit however, it was switched to using regular electricity due to issues with hydrogen supply. A notice on the machine mentions it will resume using hydrogen power in early June. Meanwhile, in another part of the Expo, an Asahi vending machine was 'eating' carbon dioxide. It featured a built-in carbon dioxide absorber which is claimed to capture 20% of the annual emissions generated by powering each unit. Asahi's vending machine can 'eat' carbon dioxide and be powered by solar energy. While not carbon neutral, it does work to offset the carbon footprint created from powering them. A notice on the vending machines also says they have already deployed in Osaka's metro stations. However, when combined with another technology, namely solar panels, these Asahi vending machines might even become carbon negative. Some of those deployed at the Expo are equipped with a roof made of solar panels, along with a sodium battery to store a charge when skies are overcast or when the sun isn't out. There are some caveats, though, as a notice on the machine states that the cooling performance may be affected when it is running solely off the power stored in the battery, meaning that drinks may not be at the ideal temperature. Other tidbits Also spotted at the Expo was flexible solar power generation film designed to be installed on uneven surfaces like roof tiles, which can generate and store energy in connected batteries. The stored power can then be used for everyday needs, such as charging a smartphone or powering small household devices. Lift Aircraft's Hexa was shown as a static display. Malaysians looking to visit the Expo can install an app developed by the organisers, called EXPO2025 Personal Agent, which can provide recommendations based on a particular guest's likes, with a suggested itinerary based on the entrance used by the attendee and their time of entry, along with route navigation and restroom pit stops. It also gives attendees quests to visit certain spots as part of a virtual stamp rally. While Japan has a reputation for being a cash-first country, Expo organisers have gone in a different direction with a fully cashless policy, encouraging visitors to use credit and debit cards, QR codes, and prepaid card options during their time at the event. All in all, it makes for a familiar experience for Malaysians, who have long embraced e-wallets and contactless payments back at home. The Osaka World Expo runs until Oct 13, 2025.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Converging on cashless: Taking the TNG eWallet app on a spin overseas
In the last five years, Malaysia has seen a boom in cashless payments, particularly through e-wallets in the wake of Covid-19 amid rising concerns of over physical contact and the need for safer transaction methods. From the 2024 Bank Negara Malaysia annual report, there were 14.7 billion consumer transactions made using e-payments (consisting of transactions made using payment cards, e-money purchase transactions and Financial Process Exchange or FPX transactions) totalling RM698.1bil. Of this, e-money transactions (consisting of e-wallets and card-based e-money) made up 38% of all e-payments in general. A further breakdown shows that 64% of all e-money transactions is attributed to e-wallets. This means that in terms of the share of e-payment transactions, e-money ranked second only to online banking, which is only slightly ahead at 39%. According to Muhamad Hanif Asa'Ari, director of distributive trade and service industry secretariat with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), achieving this took a collaborative effort between the government and private sector. Muhamad Hanif highlighted cross-ministry collaboration to boost e-wallet adoption among retailers, particularly in areas facing connectivity challenges. 'We are proud to apply the principle of a whole-of-government approach, whereby we understand that both the government and the private sectors must work together to achieve our aim of digital inclusivity in Malaysia. 'The private sector alone cannot achieve the growth that we expected without the government's support and vice versa. The government also cannot achieve the policy that we aim for without the support from the private sectors. 'This is the whole-of-government approach to ensure a win-win situation, both for the government and for the private sector,' he said during a talk session titled 'Driving Cashless Adoption and Technology in Rural Malaysia' at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Muhamad Hanif highlighted cross-ministry collaboration to boost e-wallet adoption among retailers, particularly in areas facing connectivity challenges. As part of a whole-of-government approach, KPDN has worked with the Communications Ministry and aligned with telcos to expand coverage in rural areas lacking reliable Internet coverage to ensure inclusion in the digital economy for both urban and rural Malaysians. He further credited the growth to the various service providers operating in the country, along with the campaigning and advocacy conducted by the government via the Retail Digitalisation Initiative (Redi), a programme under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 aiming to encourage the use of cashless payments by rural small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Key collaborators As of 2024, 2.6 million merchants in the country accept e-wallets as a payment method, with Muhamad Hanif citing strong cooperation between the public and private sectors as a key reason for this achievement. The current level of adoption far exceeds the original target of 15,000 merchants by 2025 set by KPDN under Redi. For the upcoming Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, Muhamad Hanif says the Ministry aims to narrow the digital gap, targeting an increase in rural e-wallet adoption from 36.5% to match the urban usage rate of 63.8%. Such collaborations include efforts to onboard merchants for QR payments by e-wallet providers like TNG Digital, the company behind the Touch 'n Go (TNG) eWallet. TNG Digital chief operations officer Mohd Herman Sarbini said that 38% of PayNet merchants were acquired by TNG eWallet. Mohd Herman added that the support from the government through initiatives like eMadani and eBelia have been critical in driving e-wallet adoption by Malaysian consumers. One such merchant is Yiap Phing Phing, director of Penang-based Village Burger, who shared her positive experience in transitioning from a cash-only business that went digital with assistance from TNG Digital. 'Once we went digital, we started seeing things we didn't notice before. 'Before that, we were operating in the dark. We didn't know what sold well, when we were busiest, and who our loyal customers were. 'But now with digital records, we can see it all, like tracking our sales, predicting our busy hours, and giving rewards to our loyal customers. 'This isn't just business anymore, it's strategy,' she said, adding that 'our cash handling got easier, queues moved faster and our daily closing was smoother'. 'Going cashless wasn't just about a payment method. It became a better way to serve our customers, especially during rush hour,' said Yiap. Mohd Herman, who also gave a talk at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, added that the support from the government through initiatives like eMadani and eBelia have been critical in driving adoption by Malaysian consumers. 'About 25 million recipient of users have benefited from the programme itself. And from there, I think we are the only e-wallet that participated in all six programmes throughout the six years,' he said. Most recently, in early May, TNG eWallet opened registration to Asean travellers planning to visit Malaysia, aiming to let tourists shop like locals and spend at local businesses, particularly SMEs and micro-SMEs. The e-wallet also plans to offer a business-centric wallet in the near future, which would provide SMEs with financial services and lending. It will further be adding an in-app menu ordering feature at supported restaurants, similar to what is offered in the AliPay app, sometime next year. Adventures in Japan TNG eWallet also offers some travel-centric offerings, such as insurance, providing coverage for travel cancellations or loss of deposits, lost or damaged luggage, medical, and personal accidents. This is alongside bookings for both flights and tours or experiences via Firefly and Klook integrated directly within the e-wallet. Visitors from Malaysia will be able to enjoy a familiar payment experience at convenience stores, most major shopping outlets, and certain restaurant chains. There's also the option to get a roaming eSIM for a specific country or region to skip the hassle of fumbling about at the airport to switch in a new SIM card, along with cross-border payments via integration with three separate payment infrastructures, or rails, those being PayNet, Visa, and AliPay+. The QR payment offering is pretty handy from LifestyleTech's experience in Japan while attending the 2025 World Expo, with a solid portion of storefronts in central Osaka accepting Malaysia's TNG eWallet, thanks to local payment provider PayPay's partnership with AliPay+. While certainly not seamless since Japan is still a cash-centric country at its core, visitors from Malaysia will be able to enjoy a familiar payment experience at convenience stores, most major shopping outlets, and certain restaurant chains. For transportation, the various Osaka metro train lines accepted debit and credit cards, though the trams accepted only cash or Japan-specific payment cards. Travellers looking to make QR payments can look for stickers displaying the TNG eWallet, PayPay, or Alipay+ logos, or simply ask the store attendants or retail staff if they accept any of those options. However, it's still a good idea to keep some Japanese yen or a credit card on hand to cover all bases, just in case QR payments aren't supported.
Nikkei Asia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Nikkei Asia
Osaka Castle Park beckons all foodies
OSAKA -- With the 2025 World Expo gaining global attention, Osaka, Japan's street-food capital, is taking the opportunity to lure attendees to another fair. Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025 is taking place at Osaka Castle Park, an expansive public park that surrounds the iconic castle, one of Japan's most celebrated and historically significant landmarks.
Budapest Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Budapest Times
President Sulyok: 2025 World Expo in Osaka not only inspires but also shows the way
In his speech opening the National Day of Hungary on Saturday, President Tamás Sulyok said the 2025 World Expo taking place in Osaka, Japan, from 13 April to 13 October 'not only inspires but shows the way and emboldens action'. Commenting on the topic of the expo, the 'super-smart society' aimed at harnessing information technology to benefit people, President Sulyok said societal changes entailed 'searching for new ways to make the future livable … [with] the use of cutting-edge technologies.' The president said the main issues determining the future would be 'ways to promote the peaceful coexistence of nations and cultures, respect for the dignity of human life, the protection of the Earth and a sustainable environment' and the role of communities. The president praised Japan as 'an inspiration to the world culturally and economically'. He also said the 'special relationship between Hungary and Japan' must be further strengthened. Takeuchi Shinji, Japan's state secretary for economy, trade and industry, noted that Hungary and Japan launched diplomatic relations in 1869, and had been 'deepening its friendly ties for more than 150 years, with excellent cooperation in many areas in economy, politics, culture and science.'
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Jam Kamal kicks off Japan visit to boost ties
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan arrived in Japan on Monday, marking the start of a high-level official visit aimed at strengthening economic, trade and investment relations between Pakistan and Japan. The minister was received at the Kansai International Airport by Pakistan's economic minister, the director of Pakistan Pavilion Expo 2025 and the trade and investment counsellor, according to a press release issued by the commerce ministry. On Tuesday, the federal minister will lead Pakistan's representation at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, beginning with a meeting with the leadership of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Following the meeting, he will tour various national pavilions, with a special visit to the Pakistan pavilion, where he is expected to interact with officials and stakeholders promoting Pakistan's culture, investment potential and trade opportunities. The Pakistan pavilion showcases the country's emerging sectors, traditional crafts, tourism attractions and industrial strengths. The minister will also visit the pavilions of key regional and global partners. Jam Kamal is scheduled to address a press conference and attend a diplomatic dinner at the Expo Salon as well as engage in bilateral discussions with Japanese officials and business representatives. The federal minister's visit is expected to pave the way for deeper economic collaboration, new trade linkages and increased visibility of Pakistan's potential at international forums.
