THE RM23mil Tech-Dome Penang project, a private initiative with endorsement from the state and Federal Government, aims to be operational by end of 2015.
Penang Tech Centre Bhd chairman Datuk Wong Siew Hai said Tech-Dome, to be located on the fifth floor of Komtar with a 32,000sq ft built-up area, would showcase robotic, electronics and computing and lighting technologies.
“It will also exhibit the history of Penang’s industrialisation, spearheaded by the electronics and IT sectors.
“We have appointed Huettinger, a renowned company from Germany, as design consultant for the project.
“Huettinger is a technology-engineering company specialising in exhibition planning, providing consultation services, and manufacturing of exhibits,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Wong said Tech-Dome would serve as a science centre to inspire children and students to become future technologists and also to nurture their interest to use and invent technology.
“Instead of taking children to movies and shopping, parents will have the alternative to take them to visit Tech-Dome during weekends.
“A robot built by Huettinger will be employed for meeting, greeting, and interacting with the public.
“Known as Robo Thespian, the robot is a fully programmable humanoid robot created to educate, communicate, interact and entertain,” he said.
Wong said the Tech-Dome had so far collected RM3.65mil, of which RM1.15mil came from the state government with the remainder from the corporate sector.
He added that the private sector had also pledged to donate RM2.3mil for the project.
“We still need another RM17.35mil which we are confident of raising by the end of 2014.
“Those who sponsor now will be known as founding sponsors of the project,” he said.
Penang Centre director Yap Soo Huey said unlike other science centres, the Tech-Dome would not just exhibit products.
“It will be designed to link the exhibits to scientific principles and their applications,” she said.
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