Asia-Pacific Summit 2026 Brings Industrial Robotics Leaders Together in Kuala Lumpur
The SPRINT Robotics Asia-Pacific Summit 2026 concluded on July 23 after two days of knowledge-sharing, technology showcases, and industry collaboration focused on accelerating the practical adoption of robotics and physical AI for industrial inspection, maintenance, and operations.
Held on July 22–23 in Kuala Lumpur, the Summit brought together asset owners, operators, technology developers, service providers, researchers, and industry leaders to explore how robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, digital twins, and advanced sensing technologies can improve safety, operational efficiency, asset integrity, and data quality across capital-intensive industries.
Advancing Adoption Through Industry Collaboration
The Summit reflected SPRINT Robotics’ end-user-driven approach to technology development and deployment. With a global network of more than 130 organizations, SPRINT Robotics connects asset owners with solution providers to define operational requirements, address technical barriers, and support the broader adoption of field-proven robotic solutions.
In his welcome message, Summit Chairperson Shawn Fernando emphasized the Asia-Pacific region’s important role in industrial development and the energy transition. He highlighted the growing contribution of robotics, AI, and digital technologies to building safer, more productive, resilient, and sustainable operations.
He also encouraged participants to use the Summit not only to gain technical insights, but also to create connections and partnerships that could continue beyond the two-day event.
Keynotes Set the Direction for the Summit
The Summit’s keynote program featured three respected industry leaders who brought perspectives from asset ownership, technology and digital transformation, and the global robotics community.
Shawn Fernando, Head of Construction and Operational Readiness at Woodside Energy, delivered the opening keynote, “Making Technology Adoption Easier.” His presentation examined how organizations can reduce barriers to implementation and create conditions that enable new technologies to move more effectively from development and pilot programs into operational use.
Essam Saleh, General Manager for Technology and Digital at PETRONAS, also addressed the Summit on Day 1, sharing insights into the role of collaboration, technology, and digital innovation in advancing industrial operations.
Day 2 opened with a keynote presentation from Mauricio Calva, Chairman of SPRINT Robotics, continuing the conversation around industry cooperation and the steps needed to scale robotic solutions across inspection and maintenance applications.
The opening program also included the official handover of the SPRINT Robotics Award 2025 for Scaling of a Robotic Solution to PETRONAS, presented by SPRINT Robotics Chairman Mauricio Calva, Summit Chairperson Shawn Fernando, and SPRINT Robotics Board Member Steve Smith.
From Robotic Tank Inspection to Autonomous Facilities
Across the two-day technical program, leading companies including Chevron, PETRONAS, IEV, Evident, Rototech, Sonomatic, Flyability, Technip Energies, Falcker, Waygate Technologies, and Square Robot shared real-world applications and emerging approaches in robotic inspection, maintenance, autonomy, artificial intelligence, drones, subsea technologies, and predictive asset management.
Panel discussions, workshop, and exhibitor pitches further encouraged knowledge-sharing and practical conversations around scaling robotic solutions for industrial deployment.
An Exhibition of Field-Ready Technologies
The Summit exhibition gave attendees the opportunity to meet technology providers, explore robotic platforms and inspection solutions, and continue technical discussions directly with participating companies.
The 2026 exhibitors included:
- Kalman
- Waygate Technologies
- Flyability
- RobotPlusPlus
- Skadi Offshore
- Master Scan Engineering
- Rototech Pte Ltd
- Sonomatic SEA Sdn Bhd
Exhibitor pitches were held on both days, providing participating companies with a dedicated platform to introduce their capabilities, demonstrate the value of their solutions, and engage directly with industrial end users.
Recognizing the Summit’s Sponsors
The Asia-Pacific Summit 2026 was supported by PETRONAS as Diamond Sponsor and Sonomatic as Bronze Sponsor.
Their support helped bring together the region’s robotics and industrial inspection community and created a platform where practical experiences, technology developments, and operational needs could be openly discussed.
SPRINT Robotics expressed its appreciation for the sponsors’ dedication and contribution to the success of the Summit.
Building Momentum Beyond Kuala Lumpur
More than a conference, the Asia-Pacific Summit served as a meeting point for organizations working across the industrial robotics value chain. The combination of technical presentations, keynote discussions, exhibitor demonstrations, workshops, and networking helped participants identify shared challenges, discover potential solutions, and develop new opportunities for collaboration.
As industries across the Asia-Pacific region continue to pursue safer, smarter, and more sustainable operations, the Summit demonstrated that successful technology adoption depends not only on innovation, but also on close cooperation among asset owners, operators, developers, service providers, and researchers.
The conversations and connections established in Kuala Lumpur will help carry that momentum forward as the SPRINT Robotics community continues working to accelerate the adoption of robotics and physical AI for industrial inspection, maintenance, and operations.