Smartphones, smart televisions, and even smart vacuum cleaners. The world is evolving fast and with the introduction of 5G in Malaysia, the nation is right in tandem. Not long ago, an automated digitised building was the talk of dreams. But today, with the versatile high technology solutions in the market, smart buildings are being made in Malaysia.

What defines a smart building?

When systems are connected and automated such that they increase the productivity and efficiency of the infrastructure, it is called a smart building. Developers need to install hardware and software in the building’s infrastructure to digitise it.

The launch of 5G in Malaysia is a key factor in making this digitising process effective. It has lower latency, better speed and more reliability than 4G. It makes way for new advancements, to highlight a few:

• 4K video surveillance
• Intelligent drones
• Augmented reality
• Energy control sensors
• Virtual reality simulations for emergency situations
• Synergised machines and sensors to generate follow up actions for each sensor

A smart building incorporates all these high technologies to function more productively. With the pandemic, the world has been introduced to social distancing, no contact service and automation. A smart building would seamlessly go with this concept, thus being the norm for the post-pandemic generation.

What are the key benefits of 5G that help in creating smart buildings in Malaysia?

1. Accelerate digitisation and automation

   5G enables automation and digitisation across many industries in Malaysia. It contributes to creating smart sensors and automated control devices to neatly bind all the operations of the building and synergise the communication to the outside world if required.

2. Automates energy efficiency

   5G enables the smart buildings to accommodate fixtures that can operate like a Fitbit. They are able to measure different types of metrics to identify the level of functioning and distribute energy accordingly.

3. Saves money through 5G empowered IoT system

   Implementing an Internet of Things (IoT) system costs a lot, especially when installing them individually in separate places. With 5G infrastructures, implementing and enhancing services related to IoT systems cost much less. Smart buildings can integrate high-tech solutions through 5G to fully leverage IoT systems to change the lifestyle of people. 5G empowered IoT systems that can be facilitated for smart buildings include:

   • Artificial intelligence
   • Robotics
   • Big data and analytics
   • Cloud
   • Augmented reality

4. Smart mobility

   5G can also be highly beneficial in making Malaysia’s transport system more efficient via smart mobility. This can be achieved via the concept of connected transportation wherein vehicles are equipped with wi-fi or any Internet connection while travelling on the road. The data gathered through IoT devices can help the transportation authority to analyse data concerning ticketing and vehicle sensors, traffic tracking, speed and also daily weather conditions to set up a plan on improving the system.

   Moreover, smart parking solutions can also be implemented using the right infrastructure, technology, security cameras and sensors to share data on available parking.

Though smart buildings are yet to be the norm in Malaysia, the beginning of this new generation of buildings has already started. Here is the status of some smart buildings in Malaysia catering to the needs of today’s real estate investors and buyers.

1. Komtar smart building

   In late 2020, Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, Penang State Secretary, had to deal with the challenging issue of CCTV footage. He expressed that all CCTV video feeds could only be controlled from the Komtar control room. One person had to be stationed 24/7 for video surveillance and there was no way to monitor the CCTV footage on the go.

   That is why CCTV footage always came as an after the fact. It could not prevent a crime but only came in handy after the crime occurred. It was also a time-consuming process to scrub all the footage to find the source of the crime and review how the security breach happened in the first place.

   To overcome the challenge, Komtar’s building management team partnered with Maxis’ smart security solution. The solution was an eye-opening experience for Datuk Abdul Razak. He said no hardware needed to be installed in the building. The solution was software-based which digitised their existing video feeds from their current cameras.

   Once the software pulled the video feed, it could run analytics on the back end. With the help of AI, parameters could be set within the solution to pinpoint specific events and find out potential intrusions, overcrowding, loitering or leftover objects.

   The solution levelled up security as it reduced human errors and made the system more effective as security guards did not need to look through multiple cameras all the time to detect unusual activity. The response time of security personnel became much faster and the residents in the buildings were much safer.

2. I-City smart green building

   On 26 January 2022, I-Bhd’s subsidiary, i-City Properties (i-City) partnered with China Mobile International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (CMIM) to build the first smart green building in the nation.

   I-City’s director, Monica Ong said they will build a corporate tower equipped with 5G enabled cameras and sensors to monitor the environment, track energy consumption and observe human traffic flow for data gathering purposes.

   She said artificial intelligence (AI) will be incorporated into the fabric of the building by using energy to power lights, air conditioning and electrical equipment. The energy can also be automatically tuned based on the weather and the number of people inside the building.

   For increased productivity, the machines connected to the building will be able to identify the peak hours to notify the building management. It can further give the management an estimate of how many cleaners and security personnel will be needed to maintain the building ahead of time. Monica believes this will improve both sustainability and tenants’ experience residing in the building.

3. Petronas Twin Towers

   The popular Petronas Twin Tower is a tourist attraction, both local and international. Apart from its architectural design and many appraising features, it also has a touch of cutting edge intelligence contributed by Schneider Electric. The building is equipped with the following to manage energy consumption and achieve better security control:

   • Energy management systems
   • Security controls
   • Energy and carbon dashboards
   • Active energy controls

   Moving forward, the builder also plans to enhance the intelligence of the infrastructure to integrate smooth connectivity between people and every aspect of the building.

4. Menara Telekom Tower

   Menara Telekom Tower in Kuala Lumpur is among the top 50 highest buildings in the world. The building has embraced intelligence and is rated 6 stars for its many attributes. The infrastructure of the building is next-generation level, offering multimedia services and high-speed connectivity to achieve high-energy performance in facilities management systems.

   It is equipped with the Intelligent Building Management System (IBMS), a concept created by Telekom Malaysia’s research and development department. The system allows integration control of major systems and subsystems of all the buildings in the tower. The control comprises air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and security management of the elevators and escalators.

Automation and digitisation of building operations are already present in people’s everyday life in Malaysia but on a limited scale. How do you think 2022 would evolve with the emergence of 5G technology and its incorporation in smart buildings? For more smart happenings in the country, stay tuned to Guyub property news.