Ricoh Malaysia unveils AI tools for smart factories

Ricoh Malaysia unveiled a suite of AI, automation and integrated technology solutions in Petaling Jaya as Malaysian industry increases investment in smart factory and automation projects.

At the event, Ricoh showed how businesses are moving from testing artificial intelligence tools to using them in daily operations across logistics, manufacturing, inspection and workplace management. It positioned the offering around practical use in business processes rather than experimental applications.

That message aligns with Malaysia's New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which targets the development of 3,000 smart factories through automation, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. The policy backdrop has sharpened interest in systems that can be integrated into existing operations with limited disruption.

Executives from Ricoh and industry groups took part in the launch, including Chief Digital Officer, APAC Region, Satoshi Tsugane; Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers President Jacob Lee Chor Kok; and Managing Director Alice Lee. Their presence reflected a broader push involving suppliers, manufacturers and industry bodies as companies assess how digital tools fit into production and workplace operations.

The products were grouped into three broad areas. One focused on inspection and quality control, including smartphone defect detection, fibre optic inspection and print quality monitoring. Another centred on workflow and workplace systems aimed at improving access to information and coordination across daily processes. A third covered automation and AI tools designed to connect different parts of operational workflows.

Operational focus

Ricoh's approach reflects a shift in the corporate technology market, where buyers increasingly want proof that software and automated systems can improve visibility, reduce manual work and enable faster responses within existing operations. The trend is especially pronounced in sectors such as manufacturing and logistics, where companies are under pressure to manage more complex supply chains and production environments.

"As businesses continue their digital transformation journeys, there is growing demand for solutions that can connect information, workflows, and people more effectively. Our focus is on helping organisations apply intelligent technologies in ways that create meaningful operational value and support long-term business transformation," said Tsugane.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers linked that demand to broader competitive pressure on local industry. Producers face rising expectations on productivity while also managing operational complexity, making the integration of technology into current systems a more immediate issue than simple adoption.

"Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to improve productivity and competitiveness amid increasingly complex operating environments. The challenge is no longer just adopting technology, but integrating solutions that can deliver measurable improvements," said Lee.

Industry demand

Malaysia has promoted digitalisation and industrial upgrading as part of its strategy to strengthen its role as a regional manufacturing and logistics base. In that context, technology vendors are positioning AI and automation as tools for factory floors, inspection lines and back-office workflows rather than as isolated software projects.

The systems on show were designed to improve accuracy and consistency in operations and strengthen coordination between workers, information and processes. The emphasis was on connected operations, with AI supporting inspection, workflow management and broader automation across business environments.

Alice Lee said companies are increasingly looking for systems that can be introduced into operational workflows without requiring processes to be rebuilt from scratch. She also pointed to demand for tools that can be adapted to different settings rather than applied in a single standard format.

"At RICOH, our focus is on helping businesses operationalise intelligent technologies in practical and scalable ways across different operational environments, from logistics and manufacturing to inspection and workplace coordination. The showcase reflects how AI can be applied in real operational settings, with solutions that can adapt to different business requirements and support more connected and responsive operations. The priority is not just automation, but helping organisations build long-term operational agility and competitiveness," said Lee.

Ricoh operates in about 200 countries and regions and is headquartered in Tokyo. For the financial year ended in March 2026, the Ricoh Group reported worldwide sales of 2,608 billion yen, or about USD $16.4 billion.