As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, Malaysia-based i-City has partnered with Singapore-based TwinMatrix Technologies to explore the use of AI-driven experiences, digital avatars and spatial intelligence technologies in urban environments.
I-City said in a statement on Thursday that rather than focusing solely on automation or isolated smart technologies, the collaboration will explore selected resident-facing AI interaction concepts designed to create more intuitive and immersive living experiences across connected environments.
The goal is to develop an AI companion to provide the eyes and face of AI Living, the world’s first AI and Robotics residential development.
These may include intuitive avatar-based interaction and engagement; advanced spatial intelligence for seamless navigation; contextual assistance tailored to daily residential needs.
The initiative is intended primarily as an experiential and interaction framework supporting the development of selected AI Companion concepts complementing the broader AI Living Urban Intelligence Platform being co-developed with Mesiniaga.
According to Eu Hong Chew, Director of I-Berhad, the collaboration reflects i-City’s belief that future urban environments will increasingly combine intelligent infrastructure with more natural and intuitive human interaction experiences.
“We have recently unveiled our plans to develop an Urban Intelligence Platform (or brain) intended to orchestrate future robotics, wellness, mobility and intelligent environment,
“With part of this broader direction, we are now exploring what we describe as the experiential layer of future AI-enabled living environments — the resident-facing interaction experience that makes technology feel more seamless, intuitive and human-centric,” he added.
He also said TwinMatrix specializes in spatial intelligence, digital twin environments, immersive interaction systems and AI-enhanced experiential technologies supporting next-generation built environments.
According to Eric Liu, the American Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TwinMatrix, the collaboration represents an opportunity to explore how AI-enhanced interaction experiences may evolve within future residential and mixed-use environments.
He said their experience at complex destinations such as Changi Airport and Resorts World Sentosa has shown that the future of intelligent environments is not simply about digitizing buildings, but about helping people navigate places, services and experiences more naturally.
“At i-City, we see an opportunity to extend this approach beyond individual assets to an entire urban ecosystem. Through spatial intelligence and digital twin technology, we can integrate offices, residences, retail, hospitality destinations and the LRT3 station serving i-City into a single digital environment,
“The result is an AI companion that understands not only where a person is, but where they are trying to go, what services they may need, and how to create a more seamless journey across the i-City ecosystem,” he added.
According to the statement, i-City believes that over time, the convergence of intelligent infrastructure, spatial technologies and AI-enhanced interaction experiences will help shape the future evolution of AI-enabled urban environments.
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