Curtin_IoT from Curtin University Malaysia is the national winner of #ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge 2024 

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  • The crew faced off against five other contenders to win.
  • Kids used STEM to come up with solutions to road health problems.

Curtin_IoT with Dr. Nor Fuad Abdul Hamid (4th from left), Siti Sulaiman (5th from left) and their lecturers.

Shell’s road protection program for primary individuals, the# ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge, crowned Team Curtin_IoT from Curtin University Malaysia as its 2024 great success.

Themed Modern! Captivate! The problem, called” Save Lives!,” asked Malaysian university and college kids to use STEM to come up with creative solutions to address road safety concerns.

” Every year, life are painfully lost due to reckless driving, neglect, and lack of awareness. As responsible people, we may join to make a variation”, said Siti Sulaiman, Country Chair of Shell Malaysia and Senior Vice President of Integrated Gas &amp, Upstream Malaysia. Shell says,” We are committed to giving our children the foundation for driving safety values and enabling them to think critically and take initiative to improve the tradition of road safety in their communities.”

The winning group, comprising Wong Zhe Ming, Gigi Hii Shu Qi, and Kho Jia Ann, presented Vision Integrated E-Nose (VIEN): Advanced Vehicular Alcohol Detector and Classifier with IoT-Enabled Surveillance Platform. The program quickly recognizes and classifies drinking, distinguishing between sour beverages and non-toxic alcohol-based products like hand sanitizers. VIEN aims to improve road health and promote responsible travelling by preventing drunk drivers from driving.

Team Curtin_IoT competed against five other finalists from Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation ( APU), Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA ( UiTM) Shah Alam, Multimedia University ( MMU), and UCSI College Kuala Lumpur.

The implementation of our project was facilitated by the Shell# ShellSelamatSampai program, according to Team Curtin_IoT. We hope that our job will increase road safety and reduce road-related accidents.

A recognized judging board, including Ir. Mohd Yusop bin Mohamad, Director of Automotive Engineering, Road Transport Department Malaysia ( JPJ), Dr Ahmad Azad Ab. Rashid, Senior Researcher at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research ( MIROS), and Harnamdav Singh, High-Risk Transport Road Safety Advisor at Shell Malaysia.

Shell’s devotion to highway safety in Malaysia began in 1957. The# ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge, which was introduced in 2017, aims to motivate students to come up with creative solutions for road safety. Over the years, the problem has fostered creative young minds and urged unconventional ideas to improve street safety conditions across the nation.

For more information about Shell’s STEM and community initiatives, visit https ://www .shell.com/sustainability/communities/education .html

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EdgePoint’s Suresh Sidhu highlights towerco role in ASEAN’s digital revolution

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  • Towerco&nbsp, expands local footprints with 15k&nbsp, locations across ASEAN
  • Region’s youth-driven mobile-first society energy 5G and 4G development

EdgePoint founder and CEO, Suresh Sidhu believes collaboration is key to unlocking efficiencies and driving sustainable growth in the region.

EdgePoint’s Suresh Sidhu highlights towerco role in ASEAN’s digital revolution” ASEAN is very mobile-centric. Even in nations like Malaysia, where broadband penetration is over 50 %, mobile devices account for 30 % of web traffic, according to Suresh Sidhu ( pic ), CEO and founder of EdgePoint Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, in his keynote address at the TowerXchange Meetup Asia 2024 in Kuala Lumpur last week. ” Our fresh, tech-savvy people pulls this. With 25 % of ASEAN’s people under the age of 18, smart is the private wifi of every individual”.

Suresh used these insights to frame the critical role of tower companies ( towercos ) in enabling Southeast Asia’s connectivity revolution. His presentation, Positioning to Win: Towercos Place in Digital ASEAN, outlined the possibilities and difficulties that the business faces as it transitions to 5G and above.

ASEAN’s communication progress through cooperation

He remarked that” shared networks are fundamental to everything that is happening today,” citing collaboration between mobile network operators ( MNOs ) and infrastructure providers. He praised Malaysia’s long history of network discussing, that began in the early 2000s, as a model for different countries in the region.

EdgePoint System has been at the frontline of this move, operating over 15, 000 buildings in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and supporting 25, 000 residents. The business has delivered 500 build-to-suit buildings for Indonesia’s IOH besides running 10, 800 buildings it, and manages 2, 900 places in the Philippines, with 450 fresh requests for build-to-suit and coworking received this year alone.

In its home business of Malaysia, the business operates 1, 500 buildings serving 3, 400 landlords, with potential opportunities planned to tackle urban and suburban communication needs.

Sandy emphasized that sharing shared infrastructure shortens the time to roll out, especially in underserved areas, and reduces duplication. Collaboration is essential to unlocking efficiency and fostering green growth in the area.

4G’s enduring part in a 5G time

While 5G is a key focus for institutions and users, the continued necessity of 4G system cannot be overlooked. ” You can’t manage a great 5G network without wonderful 4G”, Sandy explained. ” In truth, 4G will be the 2G of tomorrow, especially in areas like Indonesia where covering large, complex regions takes moment”.

Strong 4G sites are a necessity because ASEAN relies on portable devices for both personal and professional communication. ” When a man drops from 5G to 4G, the experience must be seamless”, he said, pointing to the position of demographic changes in shaping system desire, noting that young populations across ASEAN are natural adopters of mobile-first technologies.

The opportunities and challenges for Towercos

Suresh outlined the importance of reliability, speed, and innovation in meeting MNO demands. Towercos must focus on providing holistic solutions that are tailored to the needs of the operator rather than just providing infrastructure. ” Scale is necessary, but skill sets you apart”.

He also cited potential opportunities for towercos in nearby industries. ” Adjoining sectors like micro-edge data centres, fibre integration, and IoT offer immense potential”, he said, though this is over the longer term where many more sites will be needed.

” It’s about the expansion of the network and AI to the edge as well as machine and private networks, such as for municipal parking, infra monitoring, etc..”

Towercos managing power for sites is also becoming more popular, which could make things easier for MNOs while lowering costs.

Suresh noted that the demands on networks will increase as data consumption increases and artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in daily life. He contends that towercos must make plans to support the growth of data traffic while maintaining effectiveness.

” You must have indomitable will. Be persistent, consistent, and committed”, he stressed, urging the industry to remain resilient in the face of rapid technological advancements and evolving market conditions.

As AI adoption, data consumption, and 5G rollouts accelerate, towercos like EdgePoint Infrastructure are positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping ASEAN’s digital future. The challenges remain, but the opportunities to drive connectivity and innovation are greater than ever, and EdgePoint intends to be a key player with Sesh’s call to action.

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NTT Data announces land acquisition for new data center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

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  • For AI requirements, the service will apply liquid cooling and green designs.
  • It will grow to be one of APAC’s largest data centre colleges.

NTT Data announces land acquisition for new data center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

NTT Data, a global pioneer in business and technology companies, announced its proposed merger of a 68.5-acre area piece in Gelang Patah, Johor Bahru.

The site will be transformed into one of the largest data center schools in the APAC region, with the addition of six distinct houses, each with a 290 megawatt ( MW) total IT load capacity. The second tower, with an original power of 48 MW, is expected to launch in April 2027.

” With APAC emerging as one of the fastest-growing areas for IT and data centres, this corporate property merger in Malaysia underscores our commitment to local development”, said Doug Adams, CEO and President of Global Data Centers, NTT Data. Due to its close proximity to Singapore, Johor Bahru is gaining an increasingly significant financial area.

Yasuo Suzuki, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Japan and APAC at Global Data Centers, NTT Data, added,” Expanding in Gelang Patah strengthens Malaysia’s modern equipment, supports APAC economic development, fosters innovation, and creates new job opportunities”.

NTT Data now operates six features in Cyberjaya, near Kuala Lumpur, with a combined IT weight capacity of 20 MW. Using NTT Data’s regional partnerships, the new Johor Bahru initiative aims to strengthen Malaysia’s modern facilities.

To meet the growing demand for AI applications, the facility will feature energy-efficient, green designs, according to the company, which includes advanced technologies like direct liquid cooling.

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DNB leads the digital transformation of Malaysian manufacturing with 5G and AI 

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  • Visitors explored 5G’s impact on manufacturing with situation reports &amp, operations
  • DNB, KPJ Healthcare signed an MoU to observe 5G for better care &amp, performance

DNB leads the digital transformation of Malaysian manufacturing with 5G and AI 

Digital Nasional Berhad ( DNB), in collaboration with China Mobile International, ZTE, and Ericsson, and supported by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, hosted the” Connected Industries Day: Transforming Manufacturing with 5G and AI” workshop. This second installment of the series aimed to inspire Johor-based manufacturers in the Southern region to embrace digital products.

Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the factory was inaugurated by the chancellor of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo. State and federal government representatives from the production and technology sectors were present at the full-day function.

Through interactive classes and discussions, the occasion provided a crucial forum for business leaders, website experts, and stakeholders to influence the direction of manufacturing. Participants presented case reports of 5G Shop applications and illustrations of 5G answer deployments that increased operational efficiency, demonstrating the transformative potential of 5G in production.

In his handle, Gobind underscored the importance of modernization, technology, AI, and 5G in revolutionising Johor’s manufacturing industry. He remarked,” As a major hub for modernization in the country, with 13 information areas spanning over 1.65 million square feet, Johor is poised to get billions in foreign funding. It is crucial for state-owned businesses to adopt 5G use cases and electronic solutions to fully exploit this possibility.

DNB CEO Azman Ismail highlighted the organisation’s development in deploying a world-class 5G network foundation, which presently covers over 80 % of Malaysia’s filled areas—a full time ahead of schedule. He added,” Our 5G system is recognized by Ookla, the online tests and testing company, as one of the fastest and most consistent world. We have even earned accolades from OpenSignal, Global Telecom Awards, and FutureNet for functionality and creativity, showcasing our network’s eagerness for 5G-Advanced systems”.

He added,” As we transition to a dynamic, dual-network environment, DNB remains committed to supporting the Government’s online mission by driving 5G implementation to stimulate economic growth and change how Malaysians live, learn, function, and play”.

Additionally, DNB and Johor Corporation’s subsidiary KPJ Healthcare Bhd exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration seeks to harness 5G technology to improve healthcare services, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver better patient outcomes.

In addition, DNB conducted research with regional municipal mayors and city councillors to look into potential smart city transformation opportunities. This initiative builds momentum towards the Smart City Expo 2025, scheduled for the end of next year, in conjunction with Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship.

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Quiet surge: China’s AI innovators doing more with less – Asia Times

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This is not a new trend, but a rise in presentations over the past few months confirms that Chinese models are also reshaping local and international dynamics and bringing about new concepts.

While the West frequently revels in the fruits of significant advances in artificial intelligence, China is also experiencing a rapid development that is both innovation and need.

To get an idea of the pace, this record the announcements from the past few weeks:

Company Model/ Solution Date Announced Important Features Significance
Alibaba Cloud Qwen-72B Quick Nov 2024 72B guidelines- Open-source- Multilingual- Advanced MoE- State-of-the-art logic performance Reinforces Alibaba’s result in the LLM area, offers a strong open-source alternative
Tencent HunYuan Video Nov 28, 2024 13B parameters- Text-to-video generation- Contrastive Video-Language Alignment ( CVLA )- Open-source A major step forward in movie era capabilities, democratizing access through empty source
Baidu iRAG Nov 12, 2024 Text-to-image era- Minimizes hallucinations using research features Increases the precision of AI-generated pictures
DeepSeek DeepSeek-R1-Lite-Preview Nov 20, 2024 Reasoning-focused design-” Chain-of-thought” reasoning- Matches Western concepts ‘ performance Shows a strong emphasis on logic, effectiveness, and keeping up with world standards
Bytedance Doubao Ongoing Doubao-PixelDance and Doubao-Seaweed for video technology- Possible integration with TikTok emphasizes Bytedance’s proficiency in blending LLMs with social media content development
JD.com ChatJD Sept 2024 E-commerce marketing- Interactive assistance- Sector-specific applications drives e-commerce development with LLMs that are focused on customer needs

China’s overlooked creativity path

Foreign types have been in synch with the West for a while, if not right away. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Its development has resulted in numerous groundbreaking contributions that were widely recognized much later and included in the tools of more well-known European modelers. Their strategy to AI has constantly been about finding fresh pathways prioritizing performance, scalability and utility.

Wu Dao 2.0, released in May 2021, is a perfect example of this first administration. It outperformed some European models of the time in terms of multimodal AI, integrating text and image control on a scale of 1.75 trillion parameters.

Beyond Wu Dao, Huawei’s Pangu-α type, introduced in 2021, exemplified China’s focus on developing resource-efficient AI. Pangu-α was among the first to show that large-scale speech models may be optimized for performance, paving the way for comparable global trends. Additionally, Bindu made a significant contribution with its first bidirectional AI models, which incorporated both visible and language capabilities. All of these were well ahead of other related developments in the West.

The latest inventions continue this pattern of pioneering techniques that will likely be replicated, if no emulated, worldwide. For instance, Tencent’s Hunyuan Video model utilizes Contrastive Video-Language Alignment ( CVLA ) to achieve impressive quality in video generation, an area where efficiency is often a key challenge.

However, DeepSeek’s” chain-of-thought” argument capabilities have drastically improved understanding of complex causes, underlining the first implementation and refinement of techniques.

Of training, China has lagged in various fields. In the patentless earth, its model manufacturers have adopted a lot more innovation than those made in the US and abroad. The critical point is that they, too, have innovated, and their inventions need more focus now because of their different focus. &nbsp,

Regulatory considerations: shaping safe and managed technology

Due to China’s special regulatory environment, Chinese developers are forced to find creative ways to meet these requirements. Artificial models are required to control generated glad in regulations, preventing potentially harmful or unwanted outputs.

This requirement has resulted in the development of sophisticated methods like responsive sign dropping, which maximize model effectiveness while successfully managing resource allocation and ensuring that models follow regulatory guidelines.

The incorporation of censorship systems into AI models is another element of regulation compliance. These functions, while provocative, function to align AI result with local rules.

Such systems could be adapted worldwide for email filtering, hazardous material restraint, and cybersecurity. The Chinese’s emphasis on safe operation and controlled outputs might help develop more stable AI systems around the world.

Hardware considerations: evolving amid minimal resources

Foreign developers have had to contend with limited exposure to cutting-edge equipment, such as innovative GPUs. These restrictions have encouraged technology and encouraged businesses to do more with less. This has resulted in improvements in how to use technology effectively and a focus on creating software that makes the most of the available technology.

For instance, Baidu adapted its Ernie concepts to work properly on Kunlun bits, while Alibaba optimized its Qwen designs for Huawei’s Ascend computers. These adjustments demonstrate how carefully combined software and hardware can transcend limitations and deliver high-quality performance.

This emphasis on maximizing output from limited resources is ingenuity and is in line with international concerns about the cost of developing AI in terms of both environmental and economic terms.

Recent advancements in the design of Sparse-Layered Models ( SLMs) and Mixture of Experts ( MoE ) architectures have further improved the capacity of Chinese AI systems to function effectively despite hardware limitations.

Alibaba’s Qwen-72B, for example, utilizes an innovative MoE infrastructure that activates just a set of design parameters during assumption. This approach—supposedly an advancement over MOE work globally—reduces mathematical weight while maintaining high performance.

Also, agentic developments, such as Baichuan AI’s Baixiaoying helper, include features that make interactions more effective by leveraging Sparse-MoE methods. Given that limited technology does not significantly affect the quality of user interactions or mathematical efficiency, these models are designed to be both resource-aware and extremely flexible.

DeepSeek’s decline in key running costs to 1 RMB per million currencies illustrates another feature of this constraint-driven technology. Although more research is required, this strategy points to a convincing trend in cost-effective AI and sets precedents for affordability that could be crucial as AI continues to expand internationally.

Focusing on software: the real-world influence of Chinese AI

Chinese AI improvements have excelled at concentrating on real-world applications that target market needs. Foreign companies have focused on specific areas where AI can have an immediate impact, in contrast to Western trends to grow LLM capabilities for general-purpose employ. This method has led to major mobility, robotics, medical, and e-commerce advances.

BYD is integrating LLMs for sophisticated message assistants and intelligent driving features, making them more user-friendly and customized driving activities. &nbsp, In automation, Foreign LLMs are driving developments in human-robot conversation. These advancements enable more efficient computerized systems that function flawlessly with human users.

Aside from such cobots, businesses like Geek and Hai Robotics apply AI-powered robots for inventory technology. Robots were created by Elephant Robotics to provide old treatment. A host of businesses are using&nbsp, AI-powered drones and drones for tasks like produce blasting, seeding, and field monitoring aside from planting.

For medical applications, Baidu’s iRAG device has shown significant success in improving the reliability of AI in health imaging by reducing hallucinations—an vital step in enhancing medical accuracy.

After the latest NY Times article that demonstrated AI types ‘ incredible diagnostic accuracy compared to skilled doctors, Baidu has been constantly developing ERNIE Bot 4.0 for health consultation. The regulatory obstacles may be lower for China. &nbsp,

The chemical structure of 1.7 billion drug-like molecules in the market has been learned by Huawei’s Pangu drug molecule model. Huawei anticipates the model to act as a virtual chemist, assisting researchers in developing and identifying novel molecules that are likely to interact with drug targets, and lowering R&amp, D costs by over 70 %.

Chinese models are also notable for their emphasis on accessibility. Tools like Baidu’s Miaoda no-code AI application builder make it easier to create AI-powered solutions, enabling smaller businesses without specialized technical teams to harness the power of LLMs. &nbsp,

Tencent is utilizing HunYuan Pro’s AI capabilities to streamline game development processes. The model can assist with tasks like generating game dialogue, creating non-player characters ( NPCs ) with realistic behaviors, and generating game levels and environments.

A different path to global benefit

In all innovation centers, AI models and applications are created globally. Chinese AI innovation demonstrates a different path toward technological advancement, where creativity is fueled by constraints and efficiency is the driving force behind progress.

Chinese AI developers have transformed constraints in their regulatory environment and resources into opportunities rather than just adaptation. Their emphasis on application, efficiency, and adaptability forms a valuable counterbalance to the Western focus on scaling and capability expansion.

Most importantly, there is a remarkable pick-up in the announcements of late. In end-user-affecting changes like TikTok’s latest features, Tencent changing the accessibility in WeChat, or Baidu’s glasses, Chinese innovations are also reaching end-users rapidly.

Even after reading reports from the media and analyst circles, it may seem as though nothing is happening with the Chinese tech companies in the AI space. None of these are likely to be ignored by the markets for very long.

In the future, especially when we discuss Korea, we will come back to the negative effects of the inability to cause excitement, although this is also true for China.

Nilesh Jasani is an LC GenInnov Fund investor based in Singapore.

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Bridge Data Centres, TNB sign MY07 400MW deal and green energy partnership, boosting Malaysia as a digital hub.

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  • Contract signs M’sia’s fastest ESA supply for a cutting-edge data center
  • When completed, MY07 did meet country’s growing digital system needs

Bridge Data Centres, TNB sign MY07 400MW deal and green energy partnership, boosting Malaysia as a digital hub.

Bain Capital-backed Bridge Data Centres ( BDC ), a leading Southeast Asia-based hyperscale data centre solutions platform, has announced the signing of the MY07 Electricity Supply Agreement ( ESA ) with Malaysia’s leading energy solutions provider, Tenaga Nasional Berhad ( TNB).

This arrangement, which was finalized in a quicker period window, represents Malaysia’s quickest ESA delivery, argues TNB, to meet the urgent energy requirements of a cutting-edge data center. The two parties signed a Bilateral Energy Supply Contract ( BESC ) Head of Terms ( HOT ) under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme ( CRESS).

The MY07 information center is BDC’s newest ability, currently under construction in Johor Ulu Tiram, Malaysia. When completed, MY07 will be a state-of-the-art hyperscale information center designed to cater to the state’s growing demand for digital system.

Speaking at the event, Megat Jalaluddin Bin Megat Hassan, President and CEO of TNB, emphasised the agency’s responsibility to delivering modern and sustainable energy solutions with a customer-centric method.

” Now marks a major step forward in our collaboration with Bridge Data Centers as we strengthen our shared efforts to accelerate Malaysia’s transition to energy. Through the TNB Green Lane Pathway program, combined with our One-Stop Centre solutions, we are happy to ensure rapid implementation of power solutions within only 12 months”.

He continued,” BDC becomes the first partner under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme construction, a step that our wholly owned subsidiary, TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd, helped facilitate. Collectively, we are not only expanding Malaysia’s data center equipment but also advancing technology, conservation, and economic development for future generations”.

Meanwhile, Eric Fan, CEO of Bridge Data Centres, expressed his appreciation for TNB’s dedication and efficiency, stating:” The MY07 Electricity Supply Agreement is important in ensuring dependable power availability, enabling BDC to keep fast delivery timelines for our hyperscale data centre services and meet the powerful demands of our customers.

The Green Energy Partnership establishes a foundation for BDC’s operations to include clean energy, demonstrating TNB and BDC’s commitment to sustainability and coal decline. This partnership supports Malaysia’s efforts to transition to renewable energy and coincides with global trends in natural data center operations.

This partnership strengthens Malaysia’s status as a vibrant hub for data center operations in the area and underlines TNB’s excellence in providing high-quality energy solutions. By incorporating green power through the Green Energy Partnership, BDC is well-positioned to be at the forefront of sustainable development in the modern infrastructure sector.

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Equinix energises digital landscape in Singapore with additional 58.5 MWp of solar energy 

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  • Agreement help Singapore’s move towards a brighter economy
  • Equinix will receive 133.5 MW of solar energy from Sembcorp Power.

Equinix energises digital landscape in Singapore with additional 58.5 MWp of solar energy 

The digital infrastructure company® Equinix, Inc., has signed its second renewable energy power purchase agreement ( PPA ) with Sembcorp Power Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, in an effort to help reduce the effects of global climate change. Sembcorp Power announced in a statement that it will support Equinix’s expanding data center portfolio with a maximum of 133.5 Megawatts ( MWp ) of renewable energy with this second PPA.

According to the report, Equinix’s continuing investment underscores its commitment to providing modern facilities for economic growth while reducing carbon emissions in accordance with the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Beginning in 2029, this minute PPA will allow Equinix to generate a maximum capacity of 58.5 MWp of solar power generated by JTC’s qualities on Jurong Island. This renewable energy source may significantly reduce carbon emissions by 30 to 30 to 200 tonnes annually, making that number comparable to the power of over 17, 200 four-room HDB condos. This PPA may allow fresh energy to help the country’s transition to a green economy by aligning with the Singapore government’s commitment to make Jurong Island a sustainable energy and substances park.

Lee May Leong, Managing Director, Singapore, Equinix, said:” Data centres serve as the foundation of the online business, but the increasing power demands of AI are impacting national energy constraints and emissions targets. Equinix is positively addressing these issues by putting forth energy-saving best practices and procurement strategies that are in line with our climate commitments. We’re delighted to announce our next PPA in Singapore, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our customers ‘ efforts to advance their businesses and achieve conservation goals.

Meanwhile, Vickrem Vijayan, Head of Energy Commercial ( Singapore ), Sembcorp, said:” We are pleased to deepen our ongoing partnership with Equinix, supporting them in advancing their sustainability goals and helping to shape a more sustainable digital economy. We look forward to future partnerships that will advance Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan and promote the change of strength.

Highlights/Key Information:

  • The houses of five JTC houses, including Jurong Rock Caverns ‘ above-ground services and Jurong Island Checkpoint, will be covered by this thermal deployment on Jurong Island, which will also include 60 hectares of vacant land.
  • Equinix and Sembcorp signed their first long-term PPA in Singapore in April 2024, which is anticipated to produce about 75 MWp of renewable energy starting on January 1, 2027.
  • Since 2015, Equinix has executed 25 PPAs worldwide, including arrangements in Australia, India, and Singapore in 2024. These agreements are expected to contribute approximately 3, 250, 000 megawatt hours ( MWh ) of renewable energy annually to local grids across the US, Australia, France, Finland, India, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Singapore once operational.
  • In 2023, Equinix achieved 96 % solar cover across its international operations. In Asia-Pacific, Equinix achieved 100 % renewable coverage in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore markets in 2023.

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Will NASA Moon rocket get canceled in favor of Musk Mars project? – Asia Times

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Since Donald Trump’s new electoral defeat, rumours and speculation have circulated that NASA’s large Moon jet, the Space Launch System ( SLS), may be under threat. The US area company’s Artemis program, which aims to bring people back to Earth for the first time since 1972, includes a number of crucial components.

For the first lunar getting mission, called Artemis III, the SLS will launch four pilots on NASA’s Orion team capsules. The Moon will be reached by Orion next. Once in lunar orbit, Orion will dock with Elon Musk’s Starship vehicle ( launched separately ). A Starship, which departs from Orion and descends to the moon’s surface, may have two pilots float into it.

After walking on the Moon, the two pilots return to solar orbit in Starship, which docks with Orion. The two moonwalkers leave the Starship in lunar orbit and return their companions on Orion.

According to US place journalist Eric Berger, “NASA’s Space Launch System rocket may be cancelled, but to be clear, we are far from anyone being settled, but based on what I’m hearing, it seems at least 50-50.”

There have n’t been any official announcements. But, for a choice may align with previous rumors that the Trump administration might sack NASA and force it to sell much of its function to private companies.

However, was the SLS be replaced with a different rocket quickly? In the midst of the emerging 21st-century place culture, this is at the heart of what America wants to accomplish. By 2030, China has pledged to give its astronauts to the moon. Unlike the US, China is generally traditional in its estimates, so we can conclude date slippage is doubtful. Some in the space industry believe that US place ambitions would suffer significantly if China were to reach the Moon second this era.

However, many aspects of Artemis are holding up the US plan. One of these delayed parts is Musk’s Starship, which acts as the spacecraft on Artemis III. Important milestones like refueling in space and making a Moon landing without a team still need to be demonstrated.

As one of the two chief value cutters aiming to reduce national spending by up to US$$ 2 trillion, Musk has been appointed to the incoming administration. Elon Musk’s ties to Trump and his remarks about shifting attention to a crewed Mars objective have alarmed some spectators.

These remarks appear to echo Musk’s, who has focused little of his energies on planetary settlement goals rather than the Moon. Some people believe the billionaire’s plan to take humans to Mars using his Starship car to be impossible, according to the billionaire.

The Artemis program was actually created by the Trump presidency in 2017. The program intends to create a permanent foundation where astronauts may conduct cutting-edge research after conducting preliminary missions to the lunar surface.

But, the routine has been slipping. This time, US pilots were scheduled to make their first appearance on Earth. Nasa then says the second landing, during the Artemis III mission, does not take place until Autumn 2026.

Delays have been introduced by revisions to astronauts, issues with Orion’s heat-shield and life assistance devices and, as mentioned, with Starship. Cost overruns and missed deadlines have also been a problem with an upgraded smart build tower for the SLS.

Orion during Artemis I mission
Had Nasa‘s Orion crew capsule start on another jet? Nasa

Importantly, the SLS, which performed exceptionally well during the Artemis I mission in 2022, is one of the factors that are causing difficulties. The Kennedy Space Center at NASA’s Florida Space Center has already invested a number of billions of dollars in designing and building the Orion and related equipment.

NASA says the SLS is” the single jet that you take Orion, pilots, and goods straight to the Moon in a single launch”. But its expense has been criticized: each SLS launch is estimated to cost more than$ 2 billion.

The news of difficulties and complex problems with Artemis coincides with much-lauded PR for Musk’s SpaceX, particularly in relation to its Starship test flights. This included next season’s achievement, which wow space enthusiasts all over the world when the car massive booster level was caught in two robotic arms as it returned from space to the bank’s launchpad in Texas. Unlike several launch automobiles, Starship is designed to be entirely reusable. Coming crewed missions may benefit tremendously from its low cost effectiveness.

If the SLS were to be cancelled, was Musk’s Starship change it? In this case, the SpaceX spacecraft could presumably serve both as the launch pad for pilots traveling into lunar orbit and as the spacecraft for their landing on Earth. This is essentially possible, but would be far from a simple, like-for-like replacement. While Starship is still in its testing phase and still needs to be completed before astronauts may board it, the SLS is now operational.

The Falcon Heavy is yet another SpaceX rocket that has recently been rumored to be capable of launching Orion. Engineers would need to adjust the assembly and launch procedures as well as the rocket. This may carry some uncertainties, and with it the risk of more, considerable delays to the Artemis schedule. All of this suggests that the US needs to advance in this 21st-century space race if there is n’t much time left to significantly alter NASA’s Moon program.

Falcon Heavy launches Europa Clipper
Orion had been launched from a Falcon Heavy rocket, according to previous research from NASA. SpaceX, CC BY-NC

Rocket debuts require particular designs to satisfy objective requirements, as well as substantial planning for carrying astronauts, aircraft and payloads. The mission of Artemis is to land astronauts on the Moon in a variety of locations, including the largely unknown southern shaft.

The development and planning involved are extremely optimistic and sophisticated. It remains to be seen whether SpaceX, or any other business start businesses, are prepared for such a major effort and determination.

It does n’t seem economically advantageous to completely abandon the rocket with the hundreds of billions already invested in it. There may be other ways for corporate place players to get involved, as NASA has indicated by its willingness to look for creative approaches and collaborate with business on upcoming Artemis missions.

The incoming Trump administration has a reason to ask questions and prompt NASA program price versions. However, it would be wise for them to thoroughly consider the trade-offs before making decisions with such dire consequences.

Whether or not the top concern is winning the new place competition may be. Whatever objectives the new administration chooses to prioritize or to set aside, it may have to properly defend those goals to various lawmakers and the American electorate.

Yang Gao is a doctor of technology and mind of the Center for Robotics Research, King’s College London.

The Conversation has republished this essay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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Power semiconductors show the way to secure supply chains – Asia Times

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Despite a declining demand for electric vehicles and industrial machinery, the manufacturing capacity for silicon carbide power semiconductors is still growing worldwide.

Silicon carbide wafer and discrete semiconductor manufacturers in the US, Japan, Europe, South Korea, and China are switching from 6-inch ( 150mm ) to 8-inch ( 200mm ) diameter wafers to increase productivity and protect their businesses from politically motivated supply chain disruption.

Silicon carbide ( SiC ) is rapidly replacing ordinary silicon ( Si) as the preferred substrate for power semiconductors. Its benefits include:

  • opposition to higher volts,
  • sensitivity for a wider variety of noise and temperatures, and
  • greater system lifetimes.

By switching from AC to DC electric power and setting the correct voltages, strength semiconductors transform the electricity produced by motors, energy systems, lighting, and other appliances.

Compared with golden, SiC-based products are more energy efficient and reliable. They are essential for the performance of both battery- and battery-charged professional technology, solar and wind power, and data centers.

The US organization Wolfspeed, the first to apply SiC and is still the largest maker of SiC wafers in the world, just received$ 2.5 billion in funding to improve and increase its 8-inch chip manufacturing capabilities in North Carolina and New York.

The money includes

  • a$ 750 million award under the CHIPS Act,
  • $ 750 million in loans from institutional investors Apollo, the Baupost Group, Fidelity Management &amp, Research Company and the Capital Group, and
  • US Internal Revenue Service is anticipated to provide Section 48D advanced manufacturing tax credits of$ 1.0 billion.

The US Department of Energy identified silicon carbide as one of “one of 17 important materials” with a higher chance of supply disruption, which are essential to clean energy technologies, Wolfspeed noted in announcing the financing. The information is critical to national security, according to the US Commerce Department.

The funding will allow Wolfspeed to construct the world’s first and largest 8-inch Si factory in Mohawk Valley, New York. This should improve the company’s revenue structure and support its business communicate, which, in the estimation of European market research and consulting firm Yole, dropped from close to 50 % in 2021 to about 35 % in 2023 due to the rise of Chinese SiC chip companies.

The cheap switch from 6-inch to 8-inch chips, which has caused Wolfspeed to become a red-light, is also required by the new funding.

Wolfspeed is also in direct competition with Chinese manufacturers, who are also switching to 8-inch wafers and losing money. For the first time in a few years, Rohm, the largest Asian producer of SiC chips and devices, experienced a decline in the three weeks to September.

Selling to Taiwanese electric vehicle manufacturers, including those who sold SiC power devices, were among the reasons for this. Other factors included declining factory automation and energy demand, rising labor and materials costs, rising R&amp, D expenses, and amortization as a result of the company’s violent expansion of its power semiconductor business.

With higher yields and the switch from 6-inch to 8-inch ( 200mm ) wafers, which will increase the number of chips per wafer by about 1.8x, Rohm anticipates higher margins. The firm anticipates that demand from electric vehicle manufacturers and industrial customers will return to the previous decade’s upward pattern.

After purchasing European SiCrystal in 2009, Rohm is then gearing up to produce 8-inch SiC chips in Kyushu’s Miyazaki Prefecture. In Miyazaki, Rohm now produces SiC products, as well as in Kyoto, in two companies in Fukuoka Prefecture, both of which are located in Kyushu. In addition to its family firm, SiCrystal supplies STMicroelectronics (ST Micro ) and other manufacturers of energy electronics.

Rohm claims to have won more than 50 style awards from global automakers, including Geely and Xpeng, both from China. And it owns 20 % of a cooperative venture with China’s Zhenghai Group that is engaged in R&amp, D, style, manufacturing and sales of Such energy components in Shanghai.

In Fukuoka Prefecture’s Green Asia International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone, Mitsubishi Electric recently made an announcement to invest ten billion dollars ($ 67 million ) to build a new facility where power semiconductor modules can be assembled and tested. It will strengthen and automated production lines that have already been dispersed, increasing both capability and effectiveness.

The new Fukuoka plant’s primary goal is to serve the electric car market in particular. It is scheduled to start operating in 2026. In the nearby Kumamoto Prefecture, Mitsubishi Electric is even building an 8-inch line and upgrading its 6-inch Such power device production lines. Coherent, a US company that manufactures business materials, may supply 8-inch SiC wafers.

Japan’s NGK Insulators and Resonac ( formerly Showa Denko ), have also developed 8-inch SiC wafers and are moving toward commercial production.

And on November 29, Denso and Fuji Electric, two companies that make up the Toyota Group, announced their plans to expand their line of SiC chips, energy semiconductors, and modules. With an investment of more than ¥200 billion ( approximately$ 1.4 billion ), up to a third of it provided by METI, the project “aims to secure supply capacity on par with market-leading European and American companies” ,&nbsp, according to METI Minister&nbsp, Yoji Muto. Manufacturing is moving to 8-inch chips, according to Denso and Fuji Electric.

Starting in 2026, STMicroelectronics will begin manufacturing SiC in Italy, which will include 8-inch wafers, distinct strength semiconductors, and energy components. The 5-billion grow complex is expected to be operational by 2033 with help from the EU Chips Act.

STMicro may also form a partnership with Chinese company Sanan Optoelectronics to create Such power products using its proprietary production process on 8-inch SiC wafers made in a separate facility that Sanan Optoelectronics did build, own, and run. Beginning in the late 2025, STMicroelectronics may start selling the products to customers in China.

According to market research firm TrendForce, STMicro holds the top position for SiC power devices ( not wafers ) on the global market, accounting for about a third of that market.

Bosch, an auto parts manufacturer, intends to begin producing energy supplies on 8-inch SiC chips in 2026, both through an update to its 6-inch service in Germany and through an acquisition of a factory in California.

Nvidia, which began production of Such energy devices at a stock in Kulim, Malaysia, in August, buys wafers from many vendors including Wolfspeed, South Korea’s Stat Siltron and Taiwanese companies TankeBlue and SICC. Infineon plans to develop its Kulim 3 plant into” the world’s largest and most competitive 200-millimeter silicon carbide ( SiC ) power semiconductor fab, “going head -to-head with Wolfspeed.

According to TrendForce, SICC has achieved stable mass production of 8-inch substrates, TankeBlue is ramping up production, and two other Chinese companies, Shanxi Semisic Crystal and Synlight Semiconductor, are also capable of making them.

On top of that, on November 13, SICC announced the world’s first 12-inch ( 300mm ) SiC wafers, perhaps getting ahead of itself, but raising the bar and reminding the world that the Chinese are not just copycats.

Silicon wafers typically produce the majority of their semiconductors using 300mm. The material handling issue has caused SiC wafer sizes to decrease. When using 12-inch wafers, which have equivalent yields, the number of chips per wafer is roughly 2.25x higher than those of 8-inch wafers.

In addition to making or planning to make power devices on 8-inch SiC substrates, at least a dozen other businesses are making or preparing to do so, Yole projects a 24 % compound annual growth in sales of almost$ 10 billion over the next six years, reaching almost$ 10 billion. Through 2026, capital spending is expected to surpass sales. After that, companies and governments will expect to profit from their investments.

The SiC wafer and device market, which have production in “many locations around the world and no government able to impose its will on the market or development of the technology, may serve as a model for future resilient supply chains.

Follow this writer on&nbsp, X: @ScottFo83517667

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Cyberview, Futurise launch National Drone Sports Roadmap

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  • Drone Hub positions Cyberjaya as a hub for drone sports, talent & industry
  • NADSAR guides Malaysia’s drone sports growth through talent, partnerships & regulations

Najwan Halimi officiated the Drone Hub Innovation for Future Talents (DRIFT) and simultaneously launched the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap

Cyberview Sdn. Bhd., together with its subsidiary Futurise Sdn. Bhd., hosted the Drone Hub Innovation for Future Talents (DRIFT) event, showcasing Malaysia’s commitment to advancing drone innovation and talent development. The event featured the announcement of the Cyberjaya Drone Hub, the unveiling of the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap (NADSAR) 2023–2027, and the launch of the Cyberjaya Drone Hero (CDH) programme.

The Cyberjaya Drone Hub, an initiative by Cyberview, is designed to establish Cyberjaya as a thriving drone ecosystem built on key pillars such as drone sports development, community engagement, talent cultivation, commercial opportunities, and industrial growth. With facilities like the Drone Testing Zone (DTZ) and testbeds, the hub fosters innovation and collaboration. Since 2019, the DTZ—supported by Drone Academy Asia, one of the first CAAM-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO)—has trained over 2,300 remote pilots, conducted more than 150 training sessions, and logged over 2,000 flight hours, cementing Cyberjaya’s leadership in Malaysia’s drone sector.

A highlight of DRIFT was the unveiling of NADSAR 2023–2027, an initiative by Futurise via the National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (AKSADRON). This roadmap serves as a blueprint for Malaysia’s growth in drone sports, emphasising talent cultivation, industry partnerships, and regulatory enhancements. It aligns with the government’s Visi Sukan Negara 2030, advancing both emerging sports and technological innovation.

Speaking at the event, Cyberview, Futurise launch National Drone Sports Roadmap Abdul Samad, CEO of Cyberview Sdn. Bhd. (pic), underscored DRIFT 2024’s significance in advancing Malaysia’s drone ecosystem. “Cyberjaya has been at the heart of Malaysia’s digital journey since the MSC days, evolving into a thriving ecosystem for technology, talent, and innovation. Today, we are proud to take another step forward, solidifying Cyberjaya as Malaysia’s Drone Hub.”

The Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, a collaboration between Cyberview and he Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, a collaboration between Cyberview and Futurise through AKSADRON, was introduced as a core initiative of the Cyberjaya Drone Hub. Focused on developing talent in drone sports, the programme provides hands-on training, competitive opportunities, and exposure to advanced technologies. By aligning with NADSAR’s objectives, it equips students and drone enthusiasts with STEM skills while encouraging participation from schools and universities nationwide. To date, the programme has trained over 200 students from 14 academic institutions, including SMK Cyberjaya, Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya, Politeknik Banting, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak.

During the event, two Letters of Intent (LOIs) were exchanged to strengthen Malaysia’s drone technology and talent cultivation efforts. The first LOI was signed between Cyberview and Drone Academy Asia, and the second between Futurise and UMPSA Advanced, a subsidiary of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, supporting AKSADRON initiatives.

Beyond industry innovation, DRIFT 2024 seeks to engage local communities by raising awareness about drone sports and fostering a tech-savvy culture. Schools, universities, and stakeholders are encouraged to drive grassroots participation, creating excitement and ownership in this emerging field.

“As we move forward, Cyberview is committed to creating an inclusive and dynamic drone ecosystem. Through today’s engagements, let’s spark new ideas, collaborations, and inspiration to build a future that thrives on innovation and talent,” said Kamarul Ariffin.

The collaboration between Cyberview and Futurise reflects a unified effort to advance Malaysia’s technology ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Cyberjaya Drone Hub, NADSAR, and the Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, Cyberview is building a dynamic ecosystem that bridges industry and community through sports, positioning Malaysia as a global leader in drone innovation and technology.

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