LRT project may use new AI tech to ‘read’ tracks — CM

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Abang Johari (second right) launches Cita 2019 as Mohd Fadzil (right) and others look on. — Photos by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says Sarawak is looking at new technology for the planned Light Rail Transit (LRT) project which utilises Artificial Intelligence to ‘read’ the tracks.

He said having the system in place would remove the need for conventional rails while bringing down the cost of the project.

“There is a new technology where you don’t have to have the (conventional) rail, but just the road system with the tracks that will be read by a device at the driver’s seat, and the train will follow the tracks without (using) the rail itself.

“I am looking at that now because there is a (benefit of) reduction in costs,” he said at the launch of the 11th International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (Cita), here yesterday.

Abang Johari witnesses the MoU exchange between Mohd Fadzil (right) representing Unimas and Croesus IT Solutions director Richard Liau.

On AI, Abang Johari said it will be the key driver in the state’s digital journey, which is why there is need to train people to understand the technology as well as to create the applications that will enhance economic development.

“Sarawak is blessed with natural resources including agriculture and biodiversity. What we need is to develop our talents (who) can capitalise on these resources.

“For that, we need Big Data where you can analyse the data and this will enhance the use of the particular resource,” he added.

He identified Big Data as an area where conference organiser Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) could contribute for Sarawak to chart its digital journey.

“Big Data is an additional resource to our natural resource, if combined the two, that is the wealth of Sarawak. It could be revenue to the state coffers, and this is the way forward for Sarawak.”

Abang Johari noted that for the advancement of information technology in the state, there must be infrastructure in place.

“The state government has allocated some substantial amount of investment to upgrade our infrastructure, be it through satellite or clouding and fibre optic connectivity.

“Sarawak, fortunately or unfortunately, is on an island and therefore we need very effective gateway to link to international connectivity.

“We have to upgrade our land connectivity and at the same time, we must identify gateways to link with international cables either from here to Hong Kong, to Singapore and to the rest of the world,” he said.

Earlier, Unimas deputy vice chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Professor Datu Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman in his welcoming speech lauded the Sarawak government’s effort in setting up the LRT system, particularly the line linking Kuching and Samarahan.

“We propose to have one station near us (Unimas). We even have a name for it, which is Unimas Station,” he said.

On the two-day conference, Mohd Fadzil said it will be looking at issues, challenges and potential solutions in the use of technologies to improve life in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), in line with this year’s theme ‘Trends and Future of Humanising Digital Technologies’.

Cita 2019 consists of hands-on workshop, three keynote addresses, two invited talks and paper presentations. It received 58 registered paper submissions from Algeria, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United Kingdom.

During the event, Abang Johari also witnessed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanges between Unimas and Lotus Farm Agritech, and also Croesus IT Solutions.