DF Automation and Robotics

DF Automation and Robotics Sdn Bhd (DF) is a Malaysian-based automation company that operates as a comprehensive solution provider in the industrial robotics sector. The company's core business involves the design, in-house manufacturing, marketing, and maintenance of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These robots are engineered to automate intralogistics, enhancing production capacity, precision, and overall productivity for clients. The business model encompasses the full spectrum of services from initial design and customization to sales and long-term after-sales maintenance, ensuring robust client support. Revenue is generated through the sale of these robotic systems, which range from RM70,000 to RM300,000 depending on the application, and through ongoing service contracts.

Established in 2012, the company was founded by Dr. Yeong Che Fai, Ricky Yap Wee Yang, and Tan Ping Hua, three engineers and alumni of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) who shared a passion for robotics. The founders were motivated by a desire to provide robotic automation solutions to address the rising labor costs within the region's manufacturing industry. Dr. Yeong, who also serves as an Associate Professor at UTM, brings a strong academic and research background to the company, having won over 50 awards for innovation and co-founding several other tech startups. The company has achieved significant milestones, including securing a total of $3.67M in funding over 5 rounds, with the latest being a Series B round of $1.85M in November 2024 led by Vynn Capital. A notable project was the development of the MCK19 robot, which assisted healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering food and medicine.

DF Automation and Robotics serves a global clientele of multinational corporations across various sectors, including semiconductor manufacturing, automotive, electronics, food and beverage, aerospace, and healthcare. Its client list includes companies like Western Digital and Jabil, with a geographic footprint spanning Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Ireland, and Malta. The company's product portfolio features a range of AMRs designed for different payloads and applications, such as the Zalpha, Zetha, Titan, and Zoei series. A key differentiator is their proprietary software, including the Navigation Wizard (NavWiz) operating system and the DFleet management platform, which create an integrated and user-friendly ecosystem for their hardware. The NavWiz software, with its drag-and-drop functionality, simplifies programming and allows for remote adjustments, significantly reducing deployment time.

Keywords: Autonomous Mobile Robots, Automated Guided Vehicles, industrial automation, logistics robotics, intralogistics solutions, manufacturing automation, warehouse automation, robotics-as-a-service, Industry 4.0, material handling automation, AMR manufacturer, AGV solutions, supply chain robotics, robotics fleet management, Malaysian robotics, custom automation, semiconductor automation, automotive robotics, electronics manufacturing, smart factory