Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Ericsson, and eMooVit Technology have formed a partnership to enhance Malaysia’s autonomous bus experience utilizing 5G technology. This collaboration was initiated with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2024.
The partnership aims to trial various 5G-enabled features on an electric autonomous bus. These include in-vehicle 5G public Wi-Fi, real-time remote monitoring, journey log collection, and in-vehicle CCTV. These features aim to improve passenger safety, reliability, and operational cost efficiency. Future trials will focus on integrating the autonomous bus with smart city infrastructure and enabling 5G remote driving during emergencies.
At a recent event, Malaysian government officials, including the Minister of Digital YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo and the Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke, experienced a 5G-enabled bus ride at eMooVit’s headquarters in Cyberjaya. Gobind highlighted how integrating 5G into autonomous public transport can enhance user experience and support Malaysia’s digital transformation. Loke noted the potential for autonomous transport to improve traffic flow, optimize routes, and reduce human error, especially when combined with electric vehicles to enhance environmental sustainability.
DNB’s Chief Strategy Officer Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid emphasized: “Malaysia’s world-class 5G network provides the digital infrastructure required for autonomous vehicles to operate more safely, efficiently, and effectively.” Zahid stressed the importance of real-time, reliable connectivity for data processing, mapping, and integration with other systems. He also pointed out that 5G facilitates better communication between vehicles and infrastructure, enhancing passenger safety through real-time systems monitoring.
David Hägerbro, the head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, stated: “Malaysia’s 5G network creates the necessary backbone for the secure deployment of autonomous vehicles with its world-class performance, availability, affordability, and advanced capabilities.” Hägerbro highlighted the importance of seamless connectivity for data processing, telematics, and integration with other technologies, which are essential for the safe and efficient operation of future transport systems.
Earlier in 2024, DNB and Ericsson announced a collaboration on 5G-Advanced technology, aiming to enhance digital services for consumers and enterprises by introducing advanced RAN functionalities and AI-driven operations. Their focus areas include use cases enabled by network slicing and low-latency features, particularly in live video broadcasting, industrial automation, and public events. This collaboration is expected to drive enterprise adoption of 5G across Malaysia.
