A conference in Penang will explore human-robotic collaboration in manufacturing.
Wawasan Open University (WOU) will host the fourth International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics (ICiMR 2026) in Penang on November 3-4, bringing together researchers, academics and industry practitioners to examine developments in advanced manufacturing and robotics.
The hybrid conference will take place at WOU’s main campus and is being organised with Sunway University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Indonesia.
The event is being backed by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau.
ICiMR was established in 2023 by XJTLU’s School of Robotics and School of Intelligent Manufacturing. Its fourth edition will include keynote addresses, industrial roundtables, technical talks and parallel research sessions.
Topics will include smart factories and Industry 4.0, digital twins, cyber-physical production systems, the Industrial Internet of Things, predictive maintenance, sustainable manufacturing, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, advanced materials and mechatronics.
The programme will also cover human-robot collaboration, robotic vision, embedded systems, technology governance, workforce training, and technology adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises.
WOU vice-chancellor Prof Ts. Dr Yap Eng Hwa said the conference would provide an opportunity to consider research alongside developments in Penang’s manufacturing sector.
“Penang is expanding into higher value capabilities such as IC design, validation, advanced packaging, semiconductor equipment, automation, and AI enabled manufacturing, making it a highly relevant setting for international research and industry dialogue on intelligent manufacturing and robotics,” he said.
Penang recorded RM22.4bn in approved manufacturing investments across 232 projects in 2025, according to the conference organisers. The state has a substantial electrical and electronics sector, alongside manufacturers, technology companies, engineering firms and supporting industries.
The conference is inviting researchers, postgraduate students, engineers and industry practitioners to submit original research papers, industrial case studies, technological evaluations and scientific project findings. Participation will be available both in person and online, allowing researchers and professionals outside Malaysia to take part.
ICiMR 2026 is the latest edition of a conference series intended to connect academic research with industrial applications in intelligent manufacturing and robotics.
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