MAI’s new tech centre to boost car industry players

CYBERJAYA: Malaysia Automotive Institute’s (MAI) new technology centre, Intelligent Technology Systems (MITS), is expected to benefit the car industry players, especially the vendors, said COO Nizmar Mohd Nazar.
He said the centre, which offered the first-of-its kind technology, would boost product design capabilities and innovations within local car components and parts supply chain, mainly the Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies.
Nizmar said the centre aims to fill the technological gap within the domestic car sector.
“It is a one-stop facility that integrates advanced software, hardware as well as technical consulting support for car parts design, development and system engineering works,” he told reporters after the launch of the centre here yesterday.
The centre is a partnership between MAI and Altair Engineering Sdn Bhd, the unit of US-based simulation technology and engineering services, Altair Inc.
He said the project was a breakthrough for local car parts suppliers and manufacturers to move up the product value chain by adding local design and engineering into their present manufacturing base.
“It is vital in creating a competitive and sustainable intellectual property and talent pool eco-system to position Malaysia as a car hub for energy-efficient vehicles in the region,” he said.
Altair Inc’s COO Brett Chouinard said by applying simulation technologies upfront in the product design process, car design engineers would be able to develop innovative and weight-optimised products with better performance.
“Users are able to undertake different simulation tests to validate their product design and engineering processes, including crash, electromagnetic and noise-vibration-harshness,” he said. – Bernama