SHIFT 2025 Strengthens ASEAN’s Focus on Safer Mobility

SHIFT 2025 officially opened at the Bangi Resort Hotel, bringing together vehicle manufacturers, safety regulators, and research institutions from across the ASEAN region to collaborate on advancing vehicle safety, emerging technologies, and regional standards. The three-day conference, hosted by ASEAN NCAP and MIROS, focused on strengthening regional collaboration on vehicle safety, new technologies, and data-driven testing methodologies. Asian Trucker attended the event, witnessing presentations, live demonstrations, and testing protocols firsthand. Coverage highlighted how advanced safety tools, including crash test dummies and automated driver-assist systems, are increasingly shaping safety measures not only for passenger vehicles but also for commercial fleets, heavy trucks, and logistics operations across the region.

In her opening address, MIROS’ Prof. Madya Ir. Ts. Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak emphasised that “road safety cannot be compromised; every innovation and technology development must be based on evidence, data, and shared responsibility to protect lives on the road.” She highlighted that SHIFT 2025 serves as a strategic platform for advancing vehicle safety in ASEAN through research, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, including solutions relevant for commercial transport operators.

Day 1 featured keynote presentations by Mr Seigo Watanabe of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), who spoke on “The Future of Vehicle Safety Technology: Japan Perspective,” and Mr Wang Guojie of the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI), who addressed electric-vehicle safety and technology assessment. Contributions from the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC) added scientific insight into impact-assessment studies.

A major milestone was the joint launch of the ASEAN Motorcycle Target (AMT) and Child Presence Detection (CPD) dummy, tools developed to simulate real-world conditions for both passenger and commercial vehicles. MIROS noted that the AMT supports the ASEAN NCAP Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Car-to-Motorcyclist Test Protocol and is designed to reflect regional road conditions, while the CPD dummy replicates a 12-month-old child’s physiological behaviour to improve occupant protection in vehicles.

The day concluded with the Opening Ceremony and ASEAN NCAP Star Rating Award Event, recognising manufacturers demonstrating excellence and collaboration in vehicle safety. ASEAN NCAP stated that SHIFT 2025 “serves as a regional platform uniting academia and industry to advance safer mobility and promote innovation in vehicle safety.”

Day 2 continued with technical and research-oriented sessions featuring Global NCAP, ASEAN NCAP, ASEAN CVAP, and ASEAN MAP. Discussions centred on driver behaviour analysis, accident-data use, technology acceptance, and testing methodology. Delegates emphasised that cooperation between researchers and industry remains essential to achieving safer mobility standards across ASEAN. Asian Trucker noted the direct relevance for commercial vehicle operators, fleet managers, and logistics providers, who can benefit from integrating these technologies into operational safety systems and risk management practices.

Day 3 moved outdoors for live demonstrations. Participants observed safety technologies such as Child Presence Detection (CPD), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Braking (RCTA/RCTB) in operation. Demonstrations highlighted the practical applications of crash dummies in testing occupant protection and the potential adaptation for trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles. MIROS highlighted that these tools play a key role in supporting evidence-based safety improvements for both two-wheeled vehicles and commercial transport fleets.

Additionally, ASEAN NCAP shared recent assessment results from passenger vehicles, including 5-star ratings achieved by the Suzuki FRONX, ZEEKR X, and MG MGS5 EV. Scores included Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Safety Assist, and Motorcyclist Safety. While these focus on passenger vehicles, the testing protocols and data analysis have clear implications for commercial vehicle design and the adoption of advanced safety systems in fleet operations.

The conference also saw the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between MIROS, UiTM, and CATARC, reinforcing ASEAN–China collaboration on vehicle safety research, data-driven methodologies, and future talent development. SHIFT 2025 aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030), Malaysia’s National Transport Policy (2019–2030), and Road Safety Plan (2022–2030), all targeting a 50 percent reduction in road fatalities by 2030.