Self-driving delivery in Malaysia? Not yet, but Neolix is ready

Neolix, a Beijing-based operator of autonomous delivery vehicles, will use some of the funds from its nearly US$400 million series E round, which closed on October 20, to expand in Malaysia and other markets in Southeast Asia.

Max Zhao, the company’s vice president and head of Southeast Asia, says the expansion includes training a localized AI model for Malaysia. Neolix is also planning to establish local partners, service teams, and support crews even though the country has yet to formalize its rules for autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads.

The company started the approval process in Malaysia earlier this year, including sandbox trials in Cyberjaya.

Zhao tells Tech in Asia that aside from the Ministry of Transport’s trial guidelines, Neolix is working with the Road Transport Department for Vehicle Type Approval, which the company says could come as early as next month.

Public road trials – also to be held in Cyberjaya – would follow. These trials usually run six months but can stretch to nine, depending on how much data the company collects.

Zhao says the Malaysian government has been welcoming because Neolix’s services could help lower delivery costs in the country.

“The federal and local governments, including different institutions, [are] helping us work out the guidelines and technical requirements to do the public road trials,” he adds.

When asked about the public’s reception to autonomous vehicles, he notes, “They are new to this kind of technology. But when I show them [and] walk them through how it works, they get excited.”

Even after trials and approvals, Neolix must wait for legislation to be passed before it can begin operations. The company has received approval to operate in China, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Neolix has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Sunway Group.

Access to the Malaysian conglomerate’s partners and customers gives Neolix an advantage in a new market, says Zhao. Sunway’s experience in government projects may also be helpful in navigating Neolix’s regulatory regime.

AI model training

Each vehicle’s computer delivers between 32 and 42 tops, or tera operations per second. The vehicles can be accessed remotely via dual 4G and 5G links, but 5G is not required.

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