SwarmGuard, an AI-powered autonomous mobile robot system developed through APU’s research ecosystem, secures national recognition and accelerates commercialisation through a university spin-off emerging from its IoT research hub.

A breakthrough in autonomous robotics developed within the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) research ecosystem has earned national recognition at the Hardtech Deeptech Commercialisation Accelerator (HDCA) 2025, where SwarmGuard, an AI-infused autonomous mobile robot (AMR) system designed for semiconductor manufacturing inspection, received an RM5,000 Support Grant. 

The project was spearheaded by IoTech Solutions, a technology spin-off emerging from APU’s Centre of Excellence for Research & Development of IoT (CREDIT). The award was announced during the HDCA 2025 programme finale, held on 30 January 2026, organised by Digital Penang in collaboration with 1337 Ventures, powered by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (CRADLE) — Malaysia’s focal point agency for early-stage technology startups under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) — and supported by the Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN). 

This recognition caps an intensive nine-month journey through the HDCA programme, where IoTech Solutions was selected as a finalist to pitch its SwarmGuard system to industry leaders, investors and technology mentors from across Malaysia’s rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem. 

Autonomous Robotics for Semiconductor Manufacturing

SwarmGuard represents a new generation of AI-driven autonomous inspection systems tailored for semiconductor fabrication facilities, where precision, safety and operational continuity are paramount. 

The system leverages swarm intelligence and AI-powered machine vision, enabling a coordinated fleet of mobile robots to autonomously patrol and inspect complex manufacturing environments. By integrating thermal imaging, acoustic sensing and predictive maintenance analytics, SwarmGuard can detect anomalies and defects in real time while significantly reducing human exposure to hazardous production environments. 

Among its key capabilities are:

• Multi-robot coordination through distributed AI, allowing collaborative inspection across large industrial facilities
• Real-time anomaly detection with more than 94 per cent accuracy
• SLAM-based navigation that enables millimetre-level positioning precision
• Predictive maintenance analytics, capable of reducing unplanned equipment downtime by up to 80 per cent
   

These capabilities position SwarmGuard as a promising solution for semiconductor manufacturers seeking to strengthen operational resilience while maintaining stringent quality control standards. 

A University Spin-off Bridging Research and Industry

The innovation behind SwarmGuard is the result of collaboration between APU researchers and engineering students, reflecting the university’s strong emphasis on applied research and industry engagement.

The team behind IoTech Solutions includes:

• Dipl-Ing Inv Ir Narendran Ramasenderan – Founder and Chief Executive Officer
• Mr Krishna Ravinchandra – Operations Manager
• Prof Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam – Advisor
• Sin Jun Yan (Mechatronics Engineering student) – Robotics Systems Specialist
• Chin Kah Min (Computer Engineering student) – Software Stack Specialist
• Harshayn Vythilingam (Electrical and Electronic Engineering student) – Associate Systems Engineer
• Gayatri Reshma Penjarla (Electrical and Electronic Engineering student) – Associate Systems Engineer
   

As a university spin-off, IoTech Solutions serves as a bridge between academic discovery and industrial application, translating research outputs into deployable technologies capable of addressing real-world challenges. 

The company originated from CREDIT, APU’s dedicated IoT research hub, which drives interdisciplinary innovation across the university’s academic community of more than 25,000 students. 

Beyond SwarmGuard, the company has also developed the MediGuard AI Rover, an autonomous healthcare robotics platform that was recognised as a Top 10 Best Invention globally at the iCAN Toronto 2025 international innovation exhibition. 

From Research Lab to Real-World Deployment 

With the HDCA Support Grant secured, IoTech Solutions is now preparing to move SwarmGuard toward commercial proof-of-concept trials, targeting collaborations with semiconductor multinational corporations operating in Penang’s Batu Kawan industrial cluster, one of Southeast Asia’s most important semiconductor manufacturing hubs. 

Reflecting on the journey through the accelerator programme, Ir Narendran Ramasenderan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IoTech Solutions, emphasised the value of industry mentorship and ecosystem exposure. 

“The HDCA programme provided invaluable exposure to Penang’s semiconductor ecosystem and mentorship from industry veterans,” he said. “This support grant fuels our next phase of development as we pursue pilot deployments with semiconductor manufacturers in the Northern Corridor.” 

Strengthening APU’s Innovation and Commercialisation Ecosystem 

For APU, the success of IoTech Solutions demonstrates the university’s growing strength in translating research breakthroughs into impactful technologies through innovation-driven entrepreneurship. 

Prof Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer (CIEO) at APU and now Advisor to IoTech Solutions, highlighted the importance of nurturing university-industry collaborations that accelerate technology commercialisation. 

“APU’s research philosophy has always centred on turning knowledge into impact,” he explained. “Through platforms such as CREDIT and initiatives that encourage student-researcher collaboration, we are cultivating innovations that can move beyond the laboratory and deliver tangible solutions for industry.” 

He added that university spin-offs play a critical role in strengthening Malaysia’s deeptech ecosystem. 

“By supporting ventures like IoTech Solutions, we are not only empowering our researchers and students to pursue entrepreneurial pathways, but also contributing to Malaysia’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence and semiconductor innovation.” 

Advancing the Next Generation of Deeptech Innovation

The emergence of IoTech Solutions underscores APU’s commitment to research excellence, technological innovation and industry relevance. By enabling researchers and students to collaborate on cutting-edge projects and translate them into commercial ventures, the university continues to expand its role in shaping Malaysia’s future innovation landscape.

With SwarmGuard now moving closer to industrial deployment, the project stands as a powerful example of how university-driven research can evolve into transformative technologies, delivering value not only for industry but also for the broader digital economy.