PUTRAJAYA, Oct 2 – At the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) Innovation Competition 2025, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) introduced an exciting new project called TinkerIoT—an innovation designed to make learning about the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) simple, fun, and accessible to everyone. The competition took place from 1–2 October 2025 at KPT, Putrajaya.
Across Malaysia, fewer students are choosing science and technology subjects—often because the learning tools are too complicated or expensive. TinkerIoT breaks down these barriers by providing an affordable, hands-on platform where anyone can explore technology without needing advanced computer skills. By simplifying the entry point, it encourages students to discover the excitement of STEM fields and builds their confidence to pursue future studies and careers in science and technology.
TinkerIoT makes complex technology approachable. Students can code using block programming, much like fitting puzzle pieces together, which makes it far easier than conventional coding. They can also experiment with Artificial Intelligence through drag-and-drop tools for image and sound recognition. The platform enables connections with IoT devices such as sensors, switches, and small robots, which can then be controlled through a user-friendly dashboard. Best of all, TinkerIoT can be accessed on laptops, tablets, or even smartphones, in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, making it versatile and inclusive.
Complementing the platform is the TinkerKit, a hardware set that gives learners the opportunity to carry out hands-on experiments. With TinkerKit, students can build practical projects such as a smart lamp, a weather station, or even a mini robot. For teachers, it serves as a ready-made toolkit to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in an engaging, interactive way—without requiring them to master complex programming themselves.
The bigger goal of TinkerIoT goes beyond coding or gadgets—it is about inspiring curiosity in STEM. Malaysia is currently facing a shortage of engineers and a worrying decline in the number of students enrolling in science streams. By making technology learning easier and more enjoyable, TinkerIoT helps bridge this gap, giving young people the confidence to see themselves as future professionals in robotics, automation, and digital innovation.
Though developed in Malaysia for Malaysians, TinkerIoT carries strong potential to be adopted across ASEAN. It demonstrates how local innovations can stand out on the global stage while remaining practical and accessible for schools and communities at home.
In essence, TinkerIoT transforms complex technology into something simple, engaging, and impactful. By showcasing it at the KPT 2025 Innovation Competition, UTM proves that the future of education is not about making learning harder, but about making it more accessible. With TinkerIoT, more students can discover the excitement of STEM and grow into the inventors and innovators of tomorrow.
This article was written by Ir. Ts. Dr. Fauzan Khairi Che Harun and Ts. Dr. Nurul Ashikin Abdul-Kadir
Source: UTM NewsHub