OneTouch Agri Robotech Sdn. Bhd. is collaborating with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) on the Eco Charge Microgrid project, an initiative designed to connect waste-to-energy technology with mobile electric vehicle charging.
The five-year project commenced in August 2024 and brings together OneTouch’s engineering contribution and UTAR’s research expertise. It explores how waste-derived electricity can support portable EV charging, including potential applications in remote locations and areas with limited grid access.
Led by Ts Dr Wong Ling Yong from UTAR’s Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, the research centres on an integrated microgrid using pyrolytic gasification and power generation. The team is investigating system efficiency, emissions and energy conversion performance, with the aim of developing a working prototype suitable for further scale-up.
According to UTAR’s project report, core equipment, including the gasification unit, micro generator and mobile charging module, has been installed at the Kampar Campus Engineering Workshop. The report records the completion of design finalisation, equipment delivery and installation, alongside preliminary safety and efficiency testing. Pilot testing and experimental data collection were underway at the time of reporting.
OneTouch’s support includes RM3 million in equipment and supplies, together with RM66,000 in administrative funding to UTAR. The collaboration originated from OneTouch’s approach to the university to explore integrated solutions for waste management and renewable energy production.
By connecting engineering development with practical research, the project provides a platform for system testing and knowledge exchange between industry and academia. Its longer-term goal is to assess the potential of combining waste-to-energy systems with mobile charging for industrial and community applications.