Suria Component-Suzhou CEPP JV To Invest RM20 Mln In Auto Pedal Technology
CYBERJAYA, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Suria Component Manufacturing and Suzhou CEPP Electronics plan to invest about RM20 million in stages to develop next-generation automotive pedal technology, starting with an initial investment of RM5 million for the first phase.
Speaking to the media after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) here today, Suria managing director Musa Zahidin Tan Sri Ahmad Zaidee said the initial investment will cover equipment, technology, facilities, and other related requirements.
The company is also exploring new intellectual property (IP) involving the design of pedal arms and the integration of components within the arms, including electronic actuators and advanced electronics.
"We are looking at around RM20 million, but that is a very conservative estimate. The first step is RM5 million," Musa Zahidin said.
Suria signed an MOU with China's Suzhou CEPP Electronics to set up a joint venture to strengthen Malaysia's capabilities in automotive research, development and advanced manufacturing.
Suria, a wholly Malaysian-owned automotive component manufacturer specialising in automotive pedal systems, will hold a majority stake. It will develop and manufacture next-generation automotive accelerator and brake pedal technologies.
Musa Zahidin said testing and calibration equipment from China has been shipped to Malaysia and is expected to arrive within the next two to three weeks.
The equipment will support the company's preparations to develop technology aligned with the automotive industry's shift towards more advanced electronic systems, he said.
Explaining the importance of pedal technology, he said automotive braking systems had evolved from conventional mechanical and hydraulic mechanisms to motorised systems and electronic controls.
He said future developments could see greater integration between the pedals and brake callipers, potentially eliminating the need for conventional mechanical connections and intermediate control systems.
"In future, we believe there will be seamless connectivity between the pedals and the brake callipers, without cables running through the system. The electronic control units (ECUs) would be integrated into the pedals and connected directly to the ECUs at the brake callipers," he said.
Nevertheless, a key challenge is maintaining the braking feel when applying the brakes.
He said conventional mechanical and hydraulic systems allowed drivers to physically sense the braking response, whereas next-generation electronic systems could offer a substantially different driving experience.
Musa Zahidin said the automotive industry is gradually moving towards autonomous driving and, increasingly, electronic vehicle systems, making it necessary for companies to prepare for future technological requirements.
He said the changing role of drivers, particularly with the development of higher levels of autonomous driving, could also reshape expectations of vehicle control systems.
"We need to prepare ourselves for the future. We understand that this is where the automotive industry is heading, and we need to be ready for it," he emphasised.
Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad and Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) chairman Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh attended the event.
Earlier in his speech, Aminar Rashid said the future of automotive manufacturing is not simply about producing components, but about developing the engineering capabilities and technological expertise behind them.
“For Malaysia, this presents an important opportunity to move beyond conventional manufacturing and participate more actively in product development, research and development and advanced engineering", he said.
-- BERNAMA