KUALA LUMPUR: The Smart Highway Sandbox programme was launched today as a medium for innovation for the integration of technology into the country's highway network.

       Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the programme was an initiative to speed up innovative approaches in implementing road maintenance work on highways using technology.

       "This strategic cooperation was forged to ensure that PLUS moves in tandem with the government's desire to empower the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) by using high precision technology that is also efficient in the management of highway maintenance in Malaysia," he said at the launch on Monday (Dec 6).

       The programme is a Plus Malaysia Bhd initiative together with the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (Magic) as the secretariat representing the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS).

       He said the smart highway was a concept that integrated various Internet of Things (IOT) gadgets that would help to enhance the efficiency of transportation, driver safety, pedestrians and the usage of clean technology aimed at encouraging sustainability.

       "Malaysia should grab this opportunity to venture into new technology, especially the local talents who are capable of enhancing the safety and comfort of highway users," he said.

       The signing of the memorandum of understanding between PLUS and Magic, which is an agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, was witnessed by Dr Adham.

       PLUS is planning to increase its investment in order for it to achieve greater innovation in the highway industry, including the usage of video analysis and artificial intelligence (AI). – Bernama