By Yee Mei & Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 10: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has raised the possibility of Sarawak creating a robot that can be used in healthcare similar to ‘Grace’.
Grace is a robot targeted at the healthcare market designed to interact with the elderly and those isolated by Covid-19.
“The other day, I did mention during an MoU (memorandum of understanding) signing together with our partners; to an extent, perhaps, the research centre (Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre or SIDC) can have another ‘Grace’.
“Perhaps we can also be involved in having our own ‘Grace’. If not (named) ‘Grace’, perhaps we’ll use another name — a Sarawakian name.
“Grace has 4,000 sensors in her head, which means we have to engage with Centexs (Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak) and maybe Huawei so that the robot can be used for our healthcare.
“Because AI (artificial intelligence) has already been programmed to do certain difficult tasks in the realm of research, perhaps we can also produce a robot that can be used in our healthcare and at the same time to do other tasks and activities,” he said at the Sarawak Research and Development Council’s (SRDC) 5th-anniversary celebration at Pullman Hotel tonight.
Meanwhile, at the event, he also witnessed the presentation of awards and certificates from SRDC to recipients in the following categories:
- Bright Sparks Innovation & Technology: St Joseph Private School, SMK Semerah Padi
- Bright Sparks Science: SMK Sungai Tapang, SMK Batu Lintang
- Sustainable Impact Award: TL Borneo Sdn Bhd
- Innovation Vision Award: Twin Catalyst Sdn Bhd
The event also saw the presentation of two awards — the ‘Go Extra Miles Award’ and the ‘Synergy Star Award’ — to SRDC staff members and the presentation of the 5 Years Journey of SRDC Book to Abang Johari.
Among those present were Deputy Premier-cum-Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Deputy Minister of MEITD, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Education Advisor at Sarawak Premier’s Office Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong and SRDC general manager Dr Peter Morin Nissom. — DayakDaily
