This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 24, 2025 - March 2, 2025

23/02/2025 (The Edge Malaysia) - The harvesting of oil palm is a test of endurance — long hours under the sun, sickles swinging, fruit bunches crashing to the ground. It is backbreaking labour, a line of work that few locals are eager to take on, and one that remains largely dependent on foreign workers.

Over the years, there have been incremental upgrades — mechanised adaptations of the traditional sickle and pole, minor innovations to ease the strain — but the industry as a whole is still heavily reliant on manual labour.

“Actually, we do have people who want to do it, if they can do it like they’re playing a game, of course,” says Shahid Bakar, chief operating officer of MInD Mechatronic Intelligent Design Sdn Bhd.

“Imagine working on an oil palm plantation, but from the comfort of an office or a coffee shop.”

Shahid and Mohd Zhafri Baharudin, CEO and founder of MInD, saw in this challenge an opportunity — a chance to apply their considerable robotics expertise to make the tedious, punishing task less monotonous and less dependent on muscle. However, there was a problem of connectivity in plantations.

Automation relies on connectivity, and weak signals and patchy networks are a reality in plantations.

The AgriNXT: Oil Palm Chapter, launched last November by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), had already identified a key obstacle to more advanced mechanisation, and automation specifically: the dense canopy of palm fronds, which weakens communication signals and disrupts data transfer.

MInD responded with CanopyNet, a mesh network designed to strengthen connectivity beneath the trees, enabling real-time tracking, automation and remote monitoring across vast plantations.

But connectivity was just the first step. The broader goal? Full automation in harvesting, transport and plantation management.

MInD partnered with autonomous vehicle company eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd, integrating its system into Robotani, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) capable of navigating plantations. The result was a platform that monitors data, counts harvested fruit and tracks assets with minimal human intervention.

Having successfully conducted a proof of concept for MPOB and deployed CanopyNet on its plantations, MInD is now working to bridge the digital ecosystem of the palm oil industry across Southeast Asia — one networked plantation at a time.

How it began

MInD participated in two key problem statement challenges under the AgriNXT: Oil Palm Chapter — SAWIT 2, which focused on localisation and positioning systems for live tracking and mapping, and SAWIT 5, which explored extended direct control teleoperation systems for UGVs.

“We won the AgriNXT: Oil Palm Chapter competition for SAWIT 2. Our solution was CanopyNet, a mesh network module. And the best part is that the challenge came with a RM70,000 grant to develop a proof of concept,” shares Shahid.

That proof of concept took shape at a 43-acre plantation in Kluang, Johor, where MInD deployed CanopyNet to test its viability on the field. The results were promising enough for the MPOB to take the next step, signing a memorandum of understanding with MInD to pilot CanopyNet at its site in Bagan Datuk, Perak.

MInD is now looking beyond the network, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things, or AIoT, to make farming not just automated but intelligent. The goal is to turn data collection into actionable insights — tracking soil conditions, optimising fertiliser use and advising farmers on plantation management.

“The network from the mesh mobile network modules will enable localisation of positioning, where farmers can track their assets such as their trucks inside the oil palm plantation,” says Shahid.

With CanopyNet providing the network, AIoT systems on the ground not only provide data on the condition of the oil palm plantation, but also calculate the sustainability in terms of fertiliser, water and transport usage in the plantation.

“This will save a lot of cost and resources for farmers and yield better outputs. But at the core of it, you need a network to do all of that,” he says.

However, with every new technology comes minor resistance in adoption. In this case, it’s cost. “That is why we are working on a business model that can bridge the gap.”

A step in that direction is MInD’s collaboration with FarmBytes, Johor Corp’s digital-first agrofood company. Together, they are deploying an agricultural monitoring and control system across 35 acres in the Kulim Southern Green Intensive Farming Project in Ulu Tiram, Johor.

The initiative is designed not just to test the AIoT technology but also to familiarise contract farmers with it — offering a glimpse of how AI-driven insights could one day transform their own operations.

Engineers behind the automation

MInD’s entry into agriculture was never part of the original plan. Its expertise lay in mechanisation, robotics and automation. Farming was, at first, an unfamiliar landscape.

For Mohd Zhafri, robotics has been a lifelong pursuit. He founded MInD in 2011, long before AI and automation became commonplace.

“At that time, I was involved in a lot of research-based projects — engineering, mechanical systems, even biochemical work,” he recalls. One such project was a microbioreactor, a device used to control reactor temperature and mixing speeds for microbial fermentation.

While pursuing his electrical mechatronic engineering degree at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Mohd Zhafri immersed himself in the world of robotics. He competed in multiple robotics tournaments, becoming part of one of Malaysia’s top teams.

Communicating with machines came naturally. Interacting with people, however, was another story, he shares.

That changed in 2017, when he met Shahid at a grant competition. The encounter proved pivotal. Not long after, Shahid joined MInD as its COO.

“I knew I could contribute. Mohd Zhafri needed someone who could talk non-stop and understand his vision, someone who could bridge the gap between his thought process and the outside world,” says Shahid fondly.

Unlike Mohd Zhafri, for Shahid, technology had always been more than a profession — it was a fascination that took root early. He grew up watching Doraemon and MacGyver, captivated by how innovation could solve problems. The idea that inventions could change lives never left him.

“I also remember the Vision 2020 plan set by the then prime minister — the idea of flying cars, robotics and a high-tech city. That vision stuck with me, and I always believed that technology could push our country forward,” he adds.

Shahid’s background in automotive engineering gave him an insight into the manufacturing process, particularly in research and development. His time at Isuzu Motors Ltd, where he worked in product planning, further honed his ability to turn concepts into practical applications.

“Throughout my career in the automotive industry, I saw first-hand how technology could transform entire industries and drive a nation’s progress. So, when Mohd Zhafri approached me with this idea, it wasn’t a tough decision at all. It felt like the natural next step to build something that could contribute to the future we always envisioned,” explains Shahid.

In the early days, MInD specialised in custom robotics, designing automated guided vehicles that followed magnetic tracks to replace conventional trolleys in electronic factories, particularly in printed circuit board production.

Expanding into IoT solutions, Mohd Zhafri and Shahid took on a project that pushed their expertise further — they designed and built from scratch an IoT-enabled fire link system, a device that triggers fire alarms in real time. The direct fire safety link system was a leap forward from the outdated computerised fire alarm monitoring and communication systems still in use.

While much of MInD’s work has focused on automation in the palm oil industry, its expertise extends beyond agriculture, one example being the development of a fully automated wireless shooting range system.

Today, the company has supplied 4,600 IoT devices, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity between fire detection systems and control centres.

But breaking into large-scale automation wasn’t easy.

“We initially tried to venture into factory automation and warehouse robotics. But then we realised, how could we compete on pricing, quality and scale with companies from China, Europe and Japan?” says Shahid.

Building from scratch

The early years of MInD were a true test of resilience for Mohd Zhafri. The biggest challenge wasn’t just designing machines or writing code, it was also convincing people. Potential clients, partners, even himself — everyone needed proof that they could solve real-world problems and deliver solutions, despite having limited resources and no major backing.

“At that time, we were operating out of a rented first-floor shoplot — not just our office, but also our workshop, fabrication space and home. It was where we designed, built and tested our machines, and where we slept and ate,” he shares.

With no external funding, every project had to be executed on a shoestring budget. Creativity and resourcefulness weren’t just useful, they were necessary for survival.

“There were so many moments where we had to improvise and innovate because there were no references, no ready-made solutions especially in the niche sectors we were tackling,” Mohd Zhafri recalls. “We had to figure things out from scratch, constantly experimenting and iterating.”

While the market for robotics was niche, Shahid saw potential in customised solutions, particularly in sectors that had yet to be transformed by automation. This led MInD to its main business today, which is providing connectivity, automation and AI solutions for plantations and agribusinesses.

“Despite the struggles, those early days shaped our mindset. Every problem has a solution. And constraints force innovation. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. They built the foundation for everything we’re doing now,” says Mohd Zhafri.

The path ahead for MInD is still uphill. Having bootstrapped their operations from day one, Mohd Zhafri and Shahid have poured their own money into the business, often taking on side projects just to keep their core work going.

“From the start, we believed in what we were building, so we invested in it ourselves. A lot of it came out of pocket, and at times, it wasn’t easy. There were moments when we had to be resourceful, finding ways to fund our work while keeping the bigger vision in sight,” says Shahid.

Now, as MInD works to scale, they are actively looking for collaborators, investors and strategic partners. The company is in discussions with the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation, or MRANTI, to participate in its sandbox programme, testing its solutions in real-world agricultural settings. At the same time, MInD see this as the right moment to engage angel investors to help fuel its next phase of growth.

The business model is evolving, and there are plans to offer a hybrid subscription model where the hardware is available for direct purchase, while software is provided as a platform-as-a-service or PaaS.

“But this model needs to be tested. Right now, our first priority is to get the pilot project completed as soon as possible. What we need most is support and resources to expedite the process,” Shahid explains.

Ultimately, they want to build an ecosystem — a comprehensive digital infrastructure for agriculture and agribusiness automation. But there are hurdles, particularly in sourcing components.

“Some of the component parts we need are extremely hard to find. There’s no local market or manufacturers for many of these parts, especially in robotics. Most of our parts come from China, Japan or the US. But if we can build a complete local ecosystem, we won’t just develop for Malaysia, we can manufacture and export as well,” he says.

Lessons in growth

Over the years, Mohd Zhafri and Shahid have learnt one thing: It’s better to have allies than competitors. The tech world thrives not on rivalry but on collaboration, with partnerships often leading to better solutions than working in isolation.

“I think most of the people we meet, especially through accelerator programmes, are open to partnerships and collaboration. In the tech start-up scene, that mindset is pretty common,” says Shahid.

Beyond scaling its business, MInD also hopes to create opportunities for professionals and industry experts, providing a space where those passionate about technology, automation and AI can grow and innovate together.

That’s because building a tech business, especially in hardware, is not for the faint of heart. It demands more than just hard work; it requires resilience, persistence and an unwavering willingness to struggle.

“Unlike simply buying and selling tech from other countries, we wanted to build our own solutions from the ground up. That journey is far from easy,” says Shahid.

For Mohd Zhafri, the secret is simple: Love the process.

“Be passionate about what you do and enjoy the journey. When you truly love what you do, the hard times won’t break you; they’ll shape you,” he says.

Beyond making a profit, finding a bigger purpose matters, Mohd Zhafri reiterates. And the people you surround yourself with can make or break a start-up.

“And finally, just start. Many people get stuck waiting for the ‘perfect moment’, but the truth is, there’s no such thing. The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll learn, improve and get closer to success,” adds Shahid.

At the end of the day, their love for technology and innovation keeps them going. Solving complex, customised problems isn’t just their business, it’s what makes the journey fun.

“Our ecosystem of friends, partners and like-minded innovators became our support system. Whenever we faced difficulties, we had people to share ideas with, get advice from and push each other forward. That sense of community made all the difference,” says Mohd Zhafri.

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