G3 Global to release new IoT products for S-E Asian market

Group executive director Lim Boon Hong told StarBiz that the IoT products came in the form of sensor hubs with embedded systems that can be used for smart farming to transmit data from any sensors to remote servers via various connectivity options such as LoRa, NB-IOT and 4G. (Open hand with Internet of Things (IoT) word and icon on blue blur background, Technology concept.. - AFP filepic)

GEORGE TOWN: G3 Global Bhd will release new Internet-of-things (IoT) products for the South-East Asian market in the second half of 2018 to tap into the IT market.

Group executive director Lim Boon Hong told StarBiz that the IoT products came in the form of sensor hubs with embedded systems that can be used for smart farming to transmit data from any sensors to remote servers via various connectivity options such as LoRa, NB-IOT and 4G. “The product will help farmers increase agricultural yields and optimise resources for smart farming,” he added.

“Another IoT product is the Connected ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems) solution, which provides continuous monitoring of vehicles and its surroundings, automatically alerting drivers when dangerous conditions are detected.

“Through this early warning system, drivers would be able to immediately take corrective actions to prevent collisions and accidents, thus reducing loss of lives and assets,” Lim said.

According to Lim, these new IoT products are now on a trial run by customers and will be launched in the second half of the year, targeting mainly customers in the South-East Asian market, as well as other parts of the world. “The IoT business should contribute to our revenue in the second half of 2018, which we expect to be the group’s key driver in the future.

“The IoT segment is not a capital-intensive industry. So far, we have invested more than RM5mil in designing and developing the IoT platform. The group is also developing IoT-related prototypes and minimum viable products for specific industry needs and use case,” Lim said.

On G3 Global’s apparel business, Lim said the industry was still facing challenges due to the slow market conditions in the country that have resulted in weakening consumer confidence.

“Rising prices for food and essential items have driven up the cost of living. Consumers are cautious in their spending habits, giving priority to essential items such as food, school expenses over apparel products.

“We are taking measures to lower operating cost and find the best approach to turn around the business.

“Our investment in the IoT business is in its gestation phase,” Lim said.

In 2016, Green Packet Bhd acquired a 32% stake in G3 Global, establishing its venture into the ICT business, specialising in IoT solutions with end-to-end delivery of connected devices, IoT networks and data-driven applications.