Overview

Emerging technologies have changed various industries at a fast pace. The emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, internet of things, artificial intelligent, big data analytics and mobile internet are being implemented into industries and it is believed to be ever-expanding. The advances in science and technology continuously support the development of industrialization all over the world. From a technological evolution perspective, there are four stages commonly identified for the industrial revolution. The first three industrial revolutions took place in around two centuries, and are the result of, respectively:

1. The usage of wind, water, and steam energy to power machinery;
2. The introduction of electricity into the manufacturing line for mass production; and
3. The use of automation technology for the manufacturing line.

Due to the emergent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), many countries have initiated different national plan towards a new industrial revolution. Malaysia has launched the National Policy on Industry 4.0 (Industry4WRD) to increase Malaysia competitiveness. Malaysia currently accounts for 28 % of world palm oil production and 33% of world exports. If taken into account other oils & fats produced in the country, Malaysia accounts for 9.5% and 19.7% of the world’s total production and exports of oils and fats. Being one of the biggest producers and exporters of palm oil and palm oil products, Malaysia has an important role to play in fulfilling the growing global need for oils and fats sustainably. In contrast, there are few challenges facing by the Palm Oil industry such as the poor rate of improvement in yield, low labor productivity, etc. The speaker will describe the opportunity and challenges for the Palm Oil industry in the era of IR4.0. Next, the speaker also elaborate on how the palm oil mill benefit from IR4.0 technology advancement?

Speaker

Ir. Dr. Tan Chee Fai AMN

Ir. Dr. Tan Chee Fai AMN has more than 20 years of working experience in the high-end engineering industry. Currently, Ir. Dr. Tan is the President, Malaysia Robot Industry Association (MIRA), and Vice President, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). He is the Fellow, ASEAN Academy of Engineering & Technology (AAET) and Fellow, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). In addition, he is the Foreign Senior Member, Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society (CMES). For Industry, he is the Chief Technical Officer, Robolab Technology Sdn Bhd. He is actively involved in intelligent manufacturing strategic and high-end technical consultation to assist industry towards the 4th Industrial Revolution. He has led various Industry, University, and Malaysia Government as well as International funded projects such as EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and UNESCO Grant.

With the knowledge and experience, Ir. Dr. Tan has contributed as Keynote Speaker in various important international engineering events such as Annual Meeting of China Association of Science & Technology (CAST), FEIAP General Assembly, World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit (WIMS) and Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Future Engineers Conference. Based on his contribution to the ASEAN engineering community since the year 1998, Ir. Dr. Tan was awarded as the 2014 Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian Award Honoree on Humanitarian and Voluntary Services Category. In the following year, Ir. Dr. Tan was received Ahli Mangku Negara (A.M.N.) [Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm] bestowed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia (The Supreme Head of Malaysia) in 2015.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.