Physical AI – the integration of artificial intelligence with robotics and physical systems – is set to transform Sarawak’s key industries, and engineers who can bridge both worlds will define the next technological wave.
Over the past few years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly become part of our daily lives.
What began as a technology primarily used by researchers and large technology companies is now accessible to almost everyone. Students use AI to assist with learning, professionals use it to draft reports and analyse data, and businesses use it to improve productivity and customer service.
The current wave of AI is transforming how we work with information, but the next phase Physical AI, is already taking shape. Yet while much of the public conversation focuses on AI assistants, image generators and chatbots revolution is quietly emerging.
From Digital to Physical: What is Physical AI?
Earlier this year, many people were impressed by videos from China’s Lunar New Year celebrations featuring groups of humanoid robots performing synchronised dances alongside human performers.
Around the same time, technology companies around the world showcased increasingly capable humanoid robots that can walk, climb stairs, manipulate objects and respond intelligently to their surroundings. These are more than just technological demonstrations. They offer a glimpse into what may become the next major wave of AI.
This next wave is often referred to as Physical AI.
Unlike today’s AI systems that largely exist in the digital world, Physical AI combines artificial intelligence with robotics, sensors, actuators and control systems to interact directly with the physical environment.
In simple terms, it is AI that can not only think and communicate, but also see, move, touch and perform physical tasks.
From Smartphones to Robots: A Platform for the Physical World
To understand how transformative this could be, it is useful to look back at the smartphone revolution. Twenty years ago, the idea of carrying a powerful computer in your pocket seemed extraordinary.
Today, smartphones have become so common that we hardly think about them. More importantly, smartphones evolved into platforms.
Rather than buying a separate device for every function, we simply download applications to perform new tasks. Navigation, banking, photography, communication, entertainment and shopping are all delivered through the same device.
Now, imagine if robots followed a similar path. Imagine a future where a household robot is as common as a smartphone. Instead of purchasing different machines for different tasks, families could own a general-purpose robot capable of learning new skills.
Need help folding laundry? Download a laundry assistant skill. Want the robot to clean the house or prepare simple meals? Simply install the appropriate apps, just as we do on our smartphones today.
As AI models become more capable and robotics technology becomes more affordable, such a future is becoming increasingly plausible. Rather than being programmed for a single purpose, future robots may continuously learn and acquire new capabilities through software updates, cloud-based learning and shared skill libraries.
A robot purchased today may become significantly more capable over the years without requiring any hardware changes.
How Physical AI Could Transform Sarawak’s Key Industries
Of course, the impact of Physical AI extends far beyond our homes. For regions such as Sarawak, Physical AI has the potential to transform key industries that form the backbone of our economy.
Agriculture is one of the most obvious examples. The sector faces ongoing challenges including labour shortages, rising operational costs, and the need to increase productivity while maintaining sustainability.
Smarter Farms and Fewer Labour Shortages in Agriculture
Imagine autonomous robots navigating plantation, identifying ripe fruits, monitoring crop health, detecting pests and collecting data around the clock. Drones and ground-based robots equipped with AI-powered vision systems could help farmers make better decisions while reducing dependence on manual labour.
Such technologies could improve productivity while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Autonomous Robots at Construction Worksite
The construction industry presents another significant opportunity.
Imagine a construction site where autonomous robots work alongside human crews, laying bricks, installing floor tiles, painting walls and performing other physically demanding tasks continuously throughout the day. Such systems could help address labour shortages while improving consistency, safety and productivity.
Rather than replacing human workers, Physical AI would enable construction professionals to concentrate on project coordination, problem-solving, site management and quality control, where human expertise remains essential.
Smarter Factories and More Competitive Industries
Similar opportunities exists in manufacturing, where intelligent robots could assist with assembly, material handling, inspection and maintenance tasks, helping, industries improve productivity and competitiveness.
Why Robotics Engineering Fundamentals Still Matter
However, amidst all the excitement surrounding AI, there is an important point that should not be forgotten. Physical AI does not exist because of AI alone.
Behind every intelligent robot lies a complex integration of mechanical systems, electronics, sensors, actuators, communication networks, embedded computing and control systems.
A robot may be able to understand instructions through AI, but it still needs motors to move, sensors to perceive its environment, batteries to power its operation and carefully engineered systems to ensure safety and reliability. This is why the fundamentals of engineering remain critically important.
Fields such as Robotics and Mechatronics focus on understanding how physical and digital systems work together. Students learn how machines operate, how sensors gather information, how controllers make decisions and how multiple technologies can be integrated into a complete system.
More importantly, they develop systems thinking skills – the ability to understand how different components interact and influence one another.
These capabilities are difficult to replace with AI because they involve more than generating information. They require an understanding of real-world constraints, practical implementation, safety considerations, reliability and human interaction.
Engineers must bridge the gap between what AI can imagine and what can actually function reliably in the physical world.
Preparing for the Physical AI Wave
As Physical AI continues to advance, the demand for professionals who can integrate intelligence with physical systems will only increase.
The future will not simply belong to those who know how to use AI. It will belong to those who can combine AI with real-world systems and applications.
The current AI revolution is changing how we work with information. The next revolution may change how work itself is performed. Just as smartphones transformed how we communicate, learn and do business, Physical AI may transform how we interact with the physical world.
Intelligent robots could one day become commonplace in our homes, farms, factories and construction sites, helping us perform tasks that are repetitive, labour-intensive or hazardous.
The question is no longer whether Physical AI will arrive. The question is whether we are preparing ourselves and the next generation of engineers and innovators to build, manage, and work alongside it.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. Ir Associate Professor Dr Hudyjaya Siswoyo Jo is an Associate Professor in Robotics and Mechatronics and Director of the Centre for Digital Futures at the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science. He is contactable at [email protected].