MARII SEEKS TO ADVANCE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT VIA WEC 2021 PARTICIPATION

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 -- The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) plans to facilitate technology transfer for local vehicle development via the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC 2021), which will be held from May to November this year.

Chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari said the transfer of technology from telematics, data benchmarking and other relevant areas of the racing series would be used in developing new capabilities of future mobility technology.

"We will see new dimensions from the technology utilised through this venture in the WEC 2021 that can be applied in line with critical component development adhering to the National Automotive Policy 2020.

"We are using this platform to further collect data to validate the systems and modules that we are developing for the purposes of commercialising systems such as telematics, advance driving assistance system (ADAS) and vehicle automation," he said.

He told the media this after announcing the technology transfer collaboration with Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), Persona Energy Sdn Bhd, and JOTA Sport Racing Team here, today.

Through the partnership, Malaysia will be sending four apprentice engineers to the WEC 2021 as part of the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP).

 The TTAP is a human capital development programme designed to enhance automotive skills and knowledge of local talents through apprenticeships in the global motorsport scene.

"The four apprentices will be part of the JOTA Sport Racing Team that will compete in this year's WEC racing series," he added. 

Meanwhile, Persona Energy executive director Jazeman Jaafar, who is a Malaysian racing driver, was announced as the reserve and development driver to the JOTA Sport team. 

"He (Jazeman) is one of the drivers who will be participating throughout these races, leveraging on his vast experience during the many races he had participated in previously.

”That will be the advantage for us to understand better and collect data during the races," said Madani.

-- BERNAMA