Conference themes and schedule

Opening gimmick by Technical Consultants and Mr Robot

Kick off IMKL 2026 with fresh insights, lively conversation—and a surprise you won’t want to miss. Breaking away from traditional formats, our conference advisors will open the event with a dynamic talk show that sets the tone for the two‑day journey. Together, they will share perspectives on the theme “Beyond Automation: Your Roadmap for Human‑Centric Digital Transformation,” creating a lively and memorable start that sparks curiosity and excitement for what lies ahead.

Keynote:
20 Years Smart Factory – From Smart Machines to Worldwide Ecosystems

This keynote traces the milestones of smart factory development: from modular “LEGO brick” interoperability and digital twins to the rise of service-based communication standards. Looking ahead, Prof. Zuehlke explores how AI and generative AI will orchestrate supply chains and adaptive production in real time, while cybersecurity and human responsibility remain decisive. The session underscores the importance of equipping both young and experienced workers with interdisciplinary skills to thrive in a dynamic, IT-driven manufacturing world.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Detlef Zuehlke

ret. Professor for Innovative Factory Systems, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), and Honorary Executive Board Member, smartfactory-KL e.V. Kaiserslautern/Germany

Declaring Industry 5.0: Unlocking the Power of Human-Centric Digital Transformation

This session declares Industry 5.0 as the new paradigm shaping global manufacturing, where the focus moves beyond automation to human‑machine collaboration, sustainability, and resilience. It will explore how this transformation is already influencing industries worldwide, with particular attention to ASEAN and Malaysia’s evolving role in the global value chain. By framing the opportunities and challenges of this new era, the session sets the stage for the following panel discussion on whether ASEAN manufacturers are truly ready to embrace Industry 5.0.

Dr Ing Dominic Gorecky

Head of Swiss Smart Factory & Swiss Health Tech Center, Partner, Executive Board Member, Switzerland, Innovation Park Biel/Bienne AG

Benchmarking ASEAN’s Digital Readiness: Insights from Real-life Assessments

This session presents fresh regional data on ASEAN manufacturers’ digital maturity, highlighting Malaysia’s position within the broader landscape. The insights provide a clear baseline for understanding where industry players stand today and set the stage for the panel discussion on Industry 5.0 readiness.

11:10 - 11:55

Panel discussion:
Are ASEAN Manufacturers Ready for Industry 5.0?

As ASEAN manufacturers stand at the threshold of Industry 5.0, the question is no longer if but how they will embrace human-centric, sustainable, and digitally empowered transformation. This panel will explore Malaysia’s readiness alongside regional peers, unpacking both the challenges and opportunities that define the path forward. Delegates will gain insights into where industry players are today—and what it will take to position ASEAN as a global leader in the next era of manufacturing.

Physical AI: The Key to Unlocking Improved Supply Chain Resilience through Human-Robot Collaboration

Supply chains today face increasing uncertainty, from labour shortages to global disruptions. Physical AI, enabled by robotics and intelligent systems, offers a new way to strengthen resilience by combining the strengths of humans and machines. This session will explore how human-robot collaboration can improve flexibility, productivity, and responsiveness across manufacturing and logistics environments. By sharing practical perspectives from the technology ecosystem, the discussion highlights how intelligent robotics can move beyond automation to support more adaptive and resilient industrial operations.

Summer Toh

Senior Director, Regional Marketing, Smart Home & Building, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific 

Industrial 5G: Turning digitalisation into measurable value

Industrial 5G is moving from pilots to production across Malaysia and ASEAN. This session focuses on how manufacturers can translate 5G into measurable value—improving real‑time visibility, automation, and responsiveness through private networks and edge‑enabled applications. Drawing on regional best practices and Malaysia’s expanding portfolio of use cases, speakers will share concrete deployment lessons, KPIs, and pathways to scale—turning connectivity into competitive advantage

Claire Featherstone

Chief Commercial Officer, Enfrasys Network Sdn Bhd

AI-Driven Production Optimisation: Accelerating the Journey to Zero Waste Factories

This session explores how AI-driven Production Optimisation can accelerate the transition toward zero‑waste manufacturing by 2030. By unifying machine data, process conditions, and energy usage into real‑time analytics, manufacturers can eliminate material waste, reduce rejects, and improve efficiency while delivering measurable ESG outcomes. Drawing on use cases from electronics, food processing, and high‑mix environments, the paper demonstrates how digitalisation translates vision into tangible value—boosting competitiveness and sustainability for Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.

Beyond Coding: Using OpenVINO™ and Generative AI to Close the Digital Skills Gap in ASEAN Factories

As ASEAN manufacturers transition toward Industry 5.0, the "digital skills gap" remains a primary barrier to scaling intelligent systems. This session explores how the OpenVINO™ platform is evolving from traditional computer vision toward Embodied AI, enabling a more intuitive, human-centric factory floor. By leveraging on-device Generative AI and Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, manufacturers can move away from complex manual coding toward natural language interaction.We will share technical insights into how these optimised edge AI agents empower the existing workforce to manage autonomous robotics and real-time process adjustments. Attendees will gain a neutral, knowledge-based perspective on how localised intelligence reduces technical friction, ensuring that digital transformation in the region remains accessible, sustainable, and centered on human-machine collaboration.

Kwek Ser Wee

Director, Business  & Market Development APJ, Industrial & Robotics Division, Edge Computing Group, Intel Malaysia 

Scaling AI in Manufacturing: Lessons from Pilots to Plant‑Wide Deployment

Manufacturers across Malaysia and ASEAN are experimenting with AI, but many remain stuck at the pilot stage. This session explores how to scale AI from isolated use cases to plant‑wide deployment, addressing integration with legacy systems, workforce readiness, and measurable ROI. Delegates will hear practical lessons from manufacturers and technology partners who have successfully embedded AI into daily operations, gaining insights into how to move beyond experimentation and achieve sustainable impact.

Omar Abouelmagd

IT Lead Consultant for Smart Manufacturing Solutions, Lenovo Malaysia

11:55 - 12:40

Panel Discussion
From Cobots to Humanoids: Are Manufacturers Prepared?

Cobots are gaining traction in Malaysia and ASEAN as manufacturers seek practical automation solutions, while humanoid robots are advancing rapidly in AI and complex manipulation. One year after IMKL 2025’s debate, this panel revisits the question: which is the best fit for manufacturing today—and are we ready for humanoids yet? Moderated by Dominic, the discussion will assess the progress made in the past 12 months, compare real‑world cobot deployments with emerging humanoid use cases and explore why certain applications may require supports from robots. Delegates will gain a clear view of current realities, future pathways, and the readiness of ASEAN manufacturers to embrace the next wave of robotics.

 TBC