Kuala Lumpur, 22 August 2025: i-City, Malaysia’s No.1 Digital City, is gearing up to break new ground as the nation’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Experience Centre through a strategic partnership with AgiBot Innovation (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd., a rising force in China’s AI and robotics industry.
This collaboration marks AgiBot’s first large-scale urban deployment outside of China. Backed by global giants including Tencent, LG, and JD.com, the company’s entry into Malaysia is expected to inject foreign capital and advanced robotics into the nation’s digital economy. Currently contributing 22% to Malaysia’s GDP with projections to reach 25% by 2025, the digital economy is anticipated to generate up to US$115 billion in AI-driven GDP across Southeast Asia by 2030, according to government estimates.
Under the agreement, i-City will transform by year-end, becoming the country’s flagship AI & Robotics Experience Centre. This positions i-City not only as a showcase for frontier technologies in Southeast Asia but also as a magnet for global tech investment.
Looking beyond the experience centre, the roadmap includes integrating robotics into i-City’s hospitality assets, followed by the launch of the AI Smart Tower, a pioneering wellness-centric property that applies AI and robotics to foster smarter lifestyles and enhance human longevity. This initiative underscores i-City’s mission to weave innovation into the very fabric of its township, creating a smarter, more vibrant, and future-ready urban ecosystem.
“This partnership not only reinforces i-City’s role as Malaysia’s smart ultrapolis, but also strengthens our ability to attract global investors, innovators, and talent. By joining forces with AgiBot, we are positioning i-City as the epicentre of AI and Robotics innovation in Malaysia,” said Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, Chairman of I-Berhad, the master developer of i-City.
For Malaysia, the alliance highlights the country’s growing role as a testbed for frontier technologies, with international tech players increasingly establishing embedded operations instead of viewing the nation solely as a consumer market.
From AgiBot’s perspective, the collaboration is an opportunity to demonstrate how embodied AI can be seamlessly integrated into city ecosystems, spanning property, hospitality, tourism, and urban living.
Deng Tai Hua, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AgiBot, said, “Through i-City, AgiBot will showcase how AI can transform urban living, tourism, and property development. Together, we aim to create transformative experiences that redefine urban life and set new standards for smart cities in the region.”
