[This is a sponsored article with MRANTI.]
Malaysia has made no secret of its ambitions to become a high-tech nation, as outlined in the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) 2021-2030.
But how do we actually achieve this? One way is by transforming local research and development (R&D) into real-world solutions with global impact.
Imagine self-driving cars that can navigate tropical downpours. Sounds like an interesting concept, right? Well, it’s now a reality thanks to MRANTI’s Autonomous Vehicle Experimental Lab (AVXL).
This is the kind of breakthroughs you’ll see at the upcoming National Innovation and Commercialisation Expo (NICE) 2025, happening from October 6 to 9 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and & Innovation (MOSTI) and implemented by MRANTI, the expo serves as Malaysia’s leading platform to demonstrate how homegrown innovations are being commercialised.
Instead of just talking about these tech breakthroughs, NICE 2025 is centred on showcasing them in action.
Fun fact: Introduced in 2016 and formerly known as the Malaysia Commercialisation Year (MCY) Summit, NICE began as a bridge between lab research and market applications. Today, it’s evolved into a national-level expo to accelerate the commercialisation of homegrown R&D.
Experience Malaysian-made AVs at NICE 2025
To start off, visitors can learn about Malaysia’s Autonomous Vehicle Experimental Lab (AVXL), one of MRANTI’s flagship testbeds for self-driving technology. Here, you can get up close and personal with Malaysian-made AVs and even experience the AVXL through a 600m demo loop.
The AVXL has logged 412,000KM in both controlled environments and real-world conditions that mirror Malaysian roads. This includes flash floods, old-palm fronts, and “unannounced” roadside stalls.
Focusing on tropical conditions gives it a unique global edge. While most international testbeds operate in temperate climates, AVXL is calibrated for Malaysia’s 32°C heat, 95% humidity, and abrupt rainstorms that can quickly change driving conditions.
Beyond vehicle testing, AVXL also acts as an innovation ecosystem.
Every kilometre logged in the testbed and the National AI Cloud, creating new job opportunities for emerging technologies. Examples include people to remotely supervise fleets of AVs and to teach AVs how to understand local driving quirks, like sharp kampung turns.
MRANTI shared that EY found this data pipeline could eventually reduce 0.8% off the country’s logistics cost-to-GDP, or about RM11 billion a year, once new AV laws are in place.
Global analysts are taking notice as well. Frost & Sullivan’s “Autonomous Vehicle Regulations Global 2024” report described Malaysia as a “deliberate tropical outlier,” recognising that AVXL’s efforts could put us ahead of other nations in adopting AV tech. In other words, AVXL showcases how Malaysia is shaping the future of autonomous mobility.
More than an expo, it’s a movement
NICE 2025’s mission is to place Malaysia on the global innovation map by bringing together innovation showcases, policy dialogues, business matching, and strategic national initiatives under one roof.
With 150 exhibitors and 12,000 participants expected, the national-level expo is connecting experts from around the world. There will be 62 speakers and thought leaders discussing themes surrounding commercialisation and innovation.
At the heart of NICE 2025 is the I-Nation Global Summit (happening October 7 to 8), the flagship conference within NICE.
This year’s summit will spotlight four innovation pillars aligned with both local needs and global megatrends:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- HealthTech
- AgriTech and Food Security
- Going Global
Attendees will get the chance to hear directly from global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers, as well as be able to explore practical ways such technologies can be scaled in Malaysia and beyond.
Through these efforts, NICE 2025 reinforces Malaysia’s position as not just a participant in the conversation, but a country ready to scale solutions internationally.
Whether you’re a startup founder, researcher, investor, businessman, student, or policymaker, this is your invitation to be part of Malaysia’s innovation journey.
Admission is free and interested individuals can sign up here.
- Register your interest for NICE 2025 here.
- Learn more about the MRANTI here.
- Read articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: MRANTI
