Push for more Thai robotics certification

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has joined forces with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Comm...

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has joined forces with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to promote the certification of local Internet of Things (IoT) and service robotics industries with the former's P-mark label.

The initiative aims to enhance consumer confidence, pave the way for product exports to Southeast Asian markets, and strengthen Thailand's technological sovereignty.

"By having the country's own capability in emerging technologies, it will change the game in terms of embracing science and technology to drive economic growth and social development, overcoming constraints of workforces and capital," said NSTDA president Sukit Limpijumnong.

To elevate Thailand's service robotics and IoT product industries, NSTDA receives financial support from the NBTC's Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to nurture developers and entrepreneurs in the field.

The service robotics and IoT products with high-quality standards earn the P-mark, a performance certification that serves not only as a domestic quality assurance but also as a powerful passport for Thai innovations.

Mr Sukit said that receiving the P-mark affirms that local robotics and IoT products' quality, performance, and reliability are on par with regional and global standards.

He added that the emergence of strong Deep Tech companies with the P-mark certification will attract investment, create high-value jobs, and elevate the economic structure beyond traditional manufacturing.

This will position the country as a true hub of technology and innovation in the region, said Mr Sukit.

Once entrepreneurs obtain the P-mark, they can further enhance their capabilities, gaining valuable experience that serves as a shortcut to applying for international standards certification, facilitating exports to markets in the US and Europe, he added.

Kraisorn Anchaleeworaphan, director of the Electrical and Electronic Products Testing Center (PTEC), under NSTDA, said the funding of 20 million baht from NBTC over three years allows PTEC to expand standards testing in emerging technology, in particular service robots and IoT.

Under this project, 10 entrepreneurs have developed innovations in service robotics and IoT, while 11 entrepreneurs have undergone quality testing and received the P-mark certification from PTEC.

"This project has established a platform to promote and support entrepreneurs in developing innovations and undergoing product certification for service robotics and IoT. It marks the first structured certification system based on international standards in the region," said Mr Kraisorn.

Mr Kraisorn said PTEC will expand to test smart farming using IoT or artificial intelligence on edge devices, as well as electric wheelchairs.

"We have a lot of robotic uses in daily life. Thailand needs to have mandatory standards rather than voluntary-based ones in order to control non-standard electronic products that harm the lives of users," he said.

In the next 5-6 years, various home robotics and industries will gain the momentum that Thailand needs to have its own standard to protect local products' competitiveness, safety and cybersecurity, he said.

Panita Meananeatra, a researcher at the Software Quality Testing Laboratory, or SQUAT, under NSTDA, said it plans to test three key areas -- artificial intelligence, medical devices, and biometrics.

While PTEC gives the P-mark to hardware devices, SQUAT does so for software.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).