The world’s first AI-powered robotic system for testing concrete has been launched by Malaysia’s Unit Test Scientific (UTS) and deep tech startup MyCRS
UTS, a manufacturer of precision-grade concrete compression machines and a range of testing equipment for construction materials, said the Robotic Concrete Examination System will bring unprecedented transparency, traceability and governance to the construction industry.
As cities grow and construction complexity increases, this system offers governments, regulators, and the private sector a future-ready tool to ensure the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure – protecting lives, assets and public trust.
At the heart of the new system is a robotic testing platform integrated with computer vision models, IoT-based chain-of-custody tracking and cloud-based analytics.
It ensures that each test is conducted under strict protocol, verified by tamper-evident data and viewable in real time by all authorized parties. From sample casting to fracture analysis, every step is automated and logged, eliminating blind spots and human error that often compromise structural safety.
The system is the result of three years of R&D and refinement, combining UTS’s hardware and mechanical engineering with MyCRS’s AI-driven digital capabilities. Together, they have built a world-first full-stack solution for national-level quality governance, scalable for governments, regulators and industry leaders across the globe.
“Our mission is to make every concrete test transparent, traceable, and tamper-proof,” said Thomas Yap, CEO of MyCRS.
“Construction stakeholders – from developers and contractors to engineers and regulators – deserve real-time access and assurance on the quality of their core materials. This system empowers them to actively engage, not passively rely on a report.”
Key step towards transparency
Dr Meldi bin Suhatril of Universiti Malaya welcomed the system as a “key step towards transparency in construction quality control”.
“It represents the kind of innovation we need for real industry transformation,” he added.
Industry players such as Heidelberg Materials and MDC Concrete have also welcomed the system, recognizing its potential to elevate supplier quality standards, and a number of major accredited laboratories have expressed interest in adopting it as part of their digital transformation strategy.
“This collaboration is more than a product launch; it’s a statement of confidence in Malaysian engineering innovation,” said Jeffrey Ip, managing director of UTS.
“We believe this will place Malaysia on the global map for construction technology and reinforce our vision: to make every home safe to stay and great to own.”
UTS machinery has previously contributed to landmark megaprojects such as KLCC, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge), Hong Kong MTR, Singapore HDB and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
