We end the year 2018 with a big launch of Industry 4WRD (Malaysia National Policy) which is Malaysia’s response to Industry 4.0 to strengthen the Manufacturing sector. It is seen as the key economic enabler for Malaysia in future years. Although, we should not forget that Industry 4.0 is only a subset of a bigger picture i.e. Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which goes beyond manufacturing. It covers the way we live, works and entertains ourselves in all sectors.

Earlier this year, I have made some IoT predictions for 2018. Now, let’s review what we have learned in 2018.

1. Industry 4.0 has become the latest jargon and hottest topic of the year. But many have different interpretations and misconceptions when we juggled between both words – 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) or IR4.0 or I4.0 (Industry 4.0). And it’s true that some important technology like IoT has somehow become “sideline” even though that’s key in any 4IR initiatives. Many have included the “4.0” in many of their initiatives, brands, proposals, events and even in the job titles.
2. Training, Workshops, and Conferences are somehow all related to “4.0”. This gives a great opportunity for training and consultancy. It will continue for the next year in 2019.
3. A lot to play catch-up by the Universities. Before 2019, many Universities have started to introduce Internet of Things (IoT) as part of their subject but now they have to include Blockchain too. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) are already taught in many Computer Sciences courses. The lecturers now have a tough time to learn new things. The good thing is that many Malaysian Universities have somehow and somewhat incorporated the elements of IoT in their courses in 2018.
4. IoT Startups still lack of exposure. We heard a lot of funding goes to Startups that are based on Fintech, Blockchain, AI, eMarketplace that are mainly focused on software/applications but not many IoT startups get the right attention or funding. Maybe it’s because many of them have B2C business model and thus their brand is more prominent compared to IoT startups that are mainly B2B. However, the recent ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards (Rice Bowl), organized by New Entrepreneurs Foundation have started to include IoT as one of the categories and this is a good indication of recognition. Cyberview Living Lab Accelerator (CLLA), MDEC’s #mydigitalmaker hero, MCMC’s KLESF and CREST The Great Lab Challenges are some other notable initiatives on IoT.
5. Unfortunately, there’s no announcement of any National IoT Projects except maybe smaller projects by State such as Smart Selangor and the announcement of Industry 4wrd.

In my next article, I will write about “IoT in Malaysia – 2019 Predictions”.

I was invited to give a TEDx Talk last year in 2017 but I have to decline because of my unavailability. However, I was invited again for this year (2018) TEDx Kenyalang which I almost decline because of another important engagement that might happen at the same time. However, the other engagement was called off and thus, I have the last minute preparation to give my first TEDx Talk.

Although I have made numerous Talks in various big or small events, private or public, in a small room to a large hall, somehow I felt this Talk is going to be very different. And that jitters and nervousness sends a chill down to my spine. Here’s why:

1. Time is quite strict to limit the Talk within less than 18 minutes!
2. How to convey a very engaging and captivating story to a general audience when we talk on a technology topic.
3. But the scariest thought of all is when theEven though I was given several ooportuniy ideas got stuck and we start talking gibberish or mumbling words which will be recorded and publish in the Official TEDx YouTube Channel.

The host gave me the opportunity to have a session with the TEDx coach to get tips on how to give the presentation. However, due to time unavailability I did not manage to have that personal coach session. I was only given an “Illustrated TEDx Speaker Guide” to read and prepare by myself.

Here’s what I did to allow prepare myself until the day of the presentation:

1. Select the closest topic at heart so that I don’t have to do any further research
2. Recycle some of the slides which I have presented in my previous Talks
3. The arrangement of the slides are very important because it will tell the story during that 17-minute slot
4. I have read some tips regarding how to convey a story in TEDx Talks which includes some emotions, the ups-and downs and focus on only one main idea
5. I rarely practice speaking in front of a mirror. Most of my talks are arranged in my mind and sometimes I do speak aloud in my car to practice the timing.
6. Review many of TEDx speakers around the world and see how they convey the message with ease.
7. Personally, I feel that the start of the Talk is the most important part because that’s the time I watch to catch the attention of the audience. Furthermore, that first minute is always the nervous period with adrenalin rushing before we settle down.
8. Talking with other fellow speakers before my turn is very important bring down the stage jitters.
9. I need to inject some humour to ensure that I can get the reaction of the audience and gauge whether my Talk is dry or engaging.
10. Actually when I am standing in front of the audience and the spotlight directly shines on me, I can’t actually see the the whole audience clearly. I can only see some faces in couple of front rows whereas the back is pitch black! You just assumed that they are listening to you.
11. I love to walk around the stage but when it’s limited to a circle, I have difficulty to engage with the audience.
12. There is a Timer in front of me that shows how much time left and it helps to gauge my length of Talk.
13. The great part is that I don’t fumble much, I managed to present less than 18 minutes, the YouTube video looks ok and the I have managed to convey my message.

That’s my story and my first TEDx Talk experience. I am thankful to TEDx kenyalang for giving me this opportunity. I have never imagined to be part of the TEDx Speakers although I have seen many of the Talks in their channel.

STANDING AT THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGY

Kuala Lumpur, 17 July 2017: The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) recently organised its first Internet of Things (IoT) Innovation Day recently at its campus located at Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil.

This event was a part of APU Center for Research and Development of Internet of Things (CREDIT)’s efforts to expose students towards the potentials and development of IoT. CREDIT is the first Center of Excellence for IoT among Malaysian universities.

Dr Mazlan Abbas, CEO of FAVORIOT, Ober Choo, Technical Director of Cytron Technologies and James Lai, President of the Malaysia IoT Association (MyIoTA)were among guest speakers who delivered pocket talks on various IoT subject matters throughout the day.

In addition, the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC) endorsed this event as part of its Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Community Summit 2017, a global summit initiated by the government of Malaysia to empower entrepreneurs around the world. MaGIC CEO, Ashran Dato’ Ghazi, officiated the event alongside Prof. Dr Ron Edwards, Vice Chancellor, APU and Prof. Dr Ir. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Technology (FCET), APU.

With regards to the event, James Lai, as the President of MyIoTA, said, “With the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution & IoT, it is timely & great to see the involvement of APU in organising such as an event that enables industry experts to share their knowledge on IoT. We hope to see more of such events in the future to nurture future talents in IoT & address the upcoming opportunities of 4IR”.

 

When asked about the APU’s vision behind IoT and technology, Prof. Dr Ir. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Technology (FCET), APU and Dr. Tan Chye Cheah, Vice President of CREDIT said, “Soon, we will be moving towards the technological capabilities of having every device connected to the internet, in which data travels among one other and we can live in a more convenient way – big data and IoT play a major role in this, and we believe this is the future of technology – this is why we became the first university in Malaysia to run programmes specialized in IoT as well as big data, to address the vital needs of the market, in terms of talent supply.”

[Original Source: Here]

My personal journey in IoT was in 2001 i.e. 2 years after Kevin Ashton (The Father of IoT) coined the term Internet of Things in 1999. I was in one of the first mobile telcos in Malaysia launched a service called “Ring-a-Coke” – the ability to buy a coke from a vending machine by just calling to a special number posted at the machine.

But actually, my journey towards the IoT tech world begin as early in the1960s. But did you know that some us have lived in this era since 50 years ago? I have… Really? Well .. not exactly… but maybe some of us have watched this cartoon series that unfortunately lasts for 24 episodes Remember the drone, video conference, smartwatch, robotics, telehealth care and 3D printing of foods.

I am amazed at how we could have imagined some technology that now exists today. And that was 50 years ago where it’s practically impossible to own or use anyone of them.
I am inspired by my late father. I still remember the nights that he always tinkered around at the back of our house repairing TV. I will follow him to the TV shops where he will his hands on the TV circuit diagram. Why he inspired me because he is just a normal clerk working in one of the government department. He must have learned electronics during his spare time.

That’s how I started to love technology. I still keep my father’s radio books since 1968.
Inventors are like drops of water that create ripples. Technology moves like the ripple of waves. And we might have several ripples now.

Remember how a Tsunami happen? It can start with just small waves that becoming bigger and bigger until it hits the shores. But we also know just before it hits the shore the water just subsides and there’s a sense of calmness.
Its just like any technology cycle – innovators are the ones that build the ripples but later people have disillusionment and wonder why there’s no full adoption. And then suddenly one day you are drown with this new tech in your daily lives. And that’s when the Tsunami just happen.

For example, the First Generation of mobile tech will be at its peak at 5th year and probably will become obsolete at the 10th year. When 1G is at its peak, 2G is introduced and lasts for another 10 years. When you hear that 5G gonna be introduce, 4G is starting to be at its peak.

We have encountered the 1st Tsunami of the Internet – Fixed Internet, now we 2nd Tsunami – mobile and the upcoming 3rd Tsunami which is still at a small ripple i.e IoT Are we going to ride the waves or wait at the beach and being hit by this Tsunami When did we (Malaysians) start to Google the words “IoT” and “IR 4.0” in Malaysia? Let’s take a step back and see where we are in the Industrial Revolution.
Manual, Electrical, Automation/Internet and Intelligence with many technologies with their own ripples such as IoT, AR, VR, Blockchain, AI etc

Where are we in the Industrial Revolution? Why is it so difficult for us to let go of the old tech and move to new tech? is it because we are too comfortable or scared to take that jump? So, how do we jump? Maybe we need that extra “push”.

IoT World was conceptualized in 2010 but it was in 2014 that I decided to frequently blog my thoughts regarding the Internet of Things. I want to share my experience regarding the trends, issues and challenges we faced as we moved towards the new era – regardless we are a normal consumer of tech or producer of tech.

Follow and get the latest article from my IoT World Blog.

Your IoT Journey Starts Here!

Presented a 2-hr lecture on “IoT – Applications, Services, and Analytics” to UNITEN students who take the course CISB484. The talk is to expose students to the current state of the art in the area of IoT and how it transformed business direction and trends. It also examines and discusses IoT technology on relevant cases of IoT areas/domains.