From AI that recognises human gestures to electric vehicle battery cooling designs generated in under a second, emerging research presented at an international manufacturing and robotics conference hosted by Wawasan Open University (WOU) is exploring new possibilities for industry and everyday life.
The fourth edition of the International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics (ICiMR 2026), held on 3 and 4 November at WOU’s main campus, features 36 research papers spanning intelligent manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analytics, advanced materials, and interdisciplinary technologies.
The conference was officiated by Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute, who highlighted the growing influence of geopolitics and global power shifts on supply chains, and their implications for the future of intelligent manufacturing and robotics.
WOU Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ts. Dr. Yap Eng Hwa said the region’s manufacturing ecosystem offers substantial opportunities to connect emerging technologies with industrial needs.
“Manufacturers are moving beyond conventional automation towards intelligent systems that improve productivity, precision, and operational efficiency. Universities must understand the problems industries are trying to solve, connect them with scientific expertise, and create opportunities to test new ideas in real-world settings.
“Through ICiMR, supported by WOU’s AI Centre, Semiconductor Institute, and WOU Academy, we aim to strengthen collaboration between researchers and manufacturers, encourage applied research, and equip working professionals with capabilities that keep pace with technological change,” he said.
Among the findings presented is an AI model that recognised hand gestures with 94.2% accuracy, demonstrating potential applications in intelligent prosthetics and human-machine interfaces.
Another project demonstrated how AI could generate electric vehicle battery cooling designs in less than a second, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive engineering.
Other studies address AI adoption barriers among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the changing skills required in advanced manufacturing.
The conference also features keynote addresses by Professor Dr. Chan Chee Seng of Universiti Malaya and Dr. Yeong Che Fai of DF Automation & Robotics, exploring how AI interprets human actions and the potential and limitations of intelligent machines operating in the physical world.
An industry roundtable examines the challenges of technology adoption and integration, while a separate panel focuses on skills shortages, workforce readiness, and the barriers facing SMEs in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies.
First established in 2023 at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, ICiMR has since grown into an international forum for research and industry exchange. The Penang edition is hosted by WOU in partnership with Sunway University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU).