Kuala Lampur, Feb. 26 -- Malaysia's factories, warehouses and even hospitals are slowly stepping into a new technological phase. Around the world, robots are starting to perform tasks that were once considered exclusively human. They assemble products, transport goods and increasingly assist in healthcare services. With Malaysia launching PEMACU 2.0 through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), the country is clearly signalling its intention to accelerate technology commercialisation. Still, a larger question deserves attention. Will Malaysia eventually develop its own robotics technologies, or will it remain dependent on machines designed elsewhere?

PEMACU 2.0 marks an important shift in Malaysia's innovation appro...