In today’s rapidly growing digital landscape, businesses across various industries are encountering multifaceted challenges as they strive to adapt and thrive. The urgency of digital transformation is undeniable, and companies are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), commonly referred to as AIoT solutions, to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and stay competitive.
HEXA IoT, set up in 2018 by Hexa Food Sdn Bhd, looks to assist SMEs in the manufacturing, agriculture, and environmental sectors to revolutionise their own work processes for optimum growth, where productivity, efficiency and competitiveness take centre-stage to improve output and throughput.
Problems faced by Manufacturers and Farmers
A majority of manufacturers today face the similar problem - the lack of real-time data and quality control. This deficiency hinders their ability to monitor and optimise production processes effectively. The absence of real-time data leaves them in the dark, making it difficult to make informed decisions promptly. Additionally, the lack of real-time quality control mechanisms means that defects and irregularities often go unnoticed until it is too late, leading to increased operational costs and potential quality issues in their products. This common challenge underscores the pressing need for AIoT solutions to provide manufacturers with the real-time data required to enhance both efficiency and product quality in a highly competitive market.
Farmers, on the other hand, face the issue of undetermined soil conditions. This uncertainty has far-reaching implications, as it impacts decisions related to crop selection, irrigation, and fertilisation. Without a clear understanding of the soil's condition, farmers are often left to rely on traditional methods and guesswork, which could result in suboptimal yields and resource inefficiencies.
Besides that, inexperienced farmers may find it challenging to determine when fruits are ready for harvest. This is often observed in oil palm plantations that rely heavily on manual labour to assess the readiness of harvest, a challenge exacerbated by Malaysia's shortage of skilled oil palm plantation labourers. One effective approach to reducing reliance on workers is to enhance automation in detecting the readiness of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) for harvesting. This can indirectly boost productivity per harvest by optimising the harvesting and evacuation routes.
“Our in-house developed software is called "PANDORA". It is designed to centrally deposit data collected from Hexa IoT devices or any 3rd party tested devices. Thereafter, the Pandora software will visualise the collected data and call for action that is needed for tracking, monitoring, automating and analysing operations. The system is capable of automating action for machine control with triggers by AI, time, or process sensor value, as well as data collecting for the weighing process. There are a total of 8 solutions designed for the manufacturing, agriculture and aquaculture sectors,” said New Jinn An.
Jinn An further added “In 2022, we were honoured to have been chosen for the MRANTI Global Accelerator Programme (GAP): Thematic Edition. Through the GAP journey, we learned presentation skills, business planning and onboarding skills. We received guidance from the coach assigned by the GAP Team throughout the entire process. In addition to that, the GAP programme has provided us with the opportunity to connect with business partners and develop friendships within the IT ecosystem. We also have had the chance to collaborate with companies from the same cohort or with alumni to contribute to the growth of this ecosystem. It is indeed a great honour to grow with the MRANTI GAP Ecosystem.”
With over 15 years of experience in SME and food manufacturing, the Company looks to solve problems in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors using IoT solutions. HEXA IoT’s current technology is fully wireless, battery-powered, and cloud-integrated.
