Education & Accessibility / AI news for Malaysia
UPM's MyEkspresiKata Turns Real Photos Into Malay Voice Cards for Autistic Children
Universiti Putra Malaysia says its AI tool lets parents and teachers turn everyday photos into talking cards for children with limited speech. It has a gold award and copyright, but no published price, release date or trial results.
In brief
- UPM says MyEkspresiKata, an AI visual communication tool, turns real photos from a child's surroundings into interactive cards with a Malay voice. Parents, carers and educators still choose the photos, words and phrases.[1][2]
- It won gold in the Professional Inventors category at a UiTM convention in Penang on 18 September 2026. Its concept and modules hold copyright through UPM's Putra Science Park.[1]
- UPM and RTM give no price, release date or results from trials with children.[1][2]
What UPM announced
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has developed MyEkspresiKata, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for children on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent children who speak little or not at all. UPM's news office reported the project on 23 October. RTM carried its own report on 19 October.[1][2]
The tool turns real photographs from a child's surroundings into interactive communication cards with a Malay voice. A photo of a familiar cup, for example, can play "Saya nak minum air" when the child selects it.[1]
How the cards work
Dr Nur Atirah Kamaruzaman, a senior lecturer in UPM's Department of Communication, developed the tool. Parents, carers, teachers and therapists can use the cards with a child. UPM says the content can be adjusted to daily routines, learning activities and each child's needs.[1]
The language is layered. Children start with familiar objects, then learn the word for each object, then simple phrases for stating what they want. AI helps produce the cards from real photos, while parents, carers and educators still choose the photos, words and expressions. Dr Nur Atirah said difficulty speaking does not mean a child has nothing to say.[1][2]
Who built it and what it won
Dr Nur Atirah worked with Dr Muhammad Faizul Abd Hamid of UPM's Department of Malay Language and Dr Nur Afifah Kamaruzaman of the School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Xiamen University Malaysia. UPM says her own experience as a person on the autism spectrum, and as a mother of a daughter on the spectrum, shaped the project.[1]
MyEkspresiKata won gold in the Professional Inventors category at the UiTM Academy of Language Studies Northern Region International Conference and Innovation, Invention and Design Convention 2026 in Penang on 18 September. Its concept and modules hold copyright through UPM's Putra Science Park. UPM's report describes no trial with children.[1]
Where it fits in autism support plans
RTM reported that the work supports efforts to strengthen education and training for people on the autism spectrum, in line with Budget 2027. It listed two Permata Kurnia centres in Melaka and Pahang for children on the spectrum, and over 130 new rural Tabika Tunas Istimewa classes for autistic children from low-income families. We did not check the Budget speech.[2]
Neither report says those centres or classes will use MyEkspresiKata. Neither explains how a family or school can get the tool, what devices it needs or what it costs. Dr Nur Atirah said the team will keep refining it for local language and settings.[1][2]
Why Malaysia should care
The tool uses Malay voice and everyday Malay phrases, which suits homes and classrooms where Malay is the working language. RTM links the work to Budget 2027 autism support. Neither report says those programmes will use MyEkspresiKata. Families cannot yet get it, because UPM names no release route.
Parents and carers of children with limited speech
A Malay-voice card tool could support daily requests at home, but no release route or price exists yet.[1]
Practical move: Ask the child's therapist or teacher before trying any new communication aid.
Teachers and special education centres
UPM says educators help choose photos and phrases, so staff time is part of the design.[1][2]
Practical move: Ask UPM's research team whether classroom pilots are planned.
Malaysian developers of education and assistive software
The project pairs linguists, AI researchers and a researcher with lived experience, a team model worth copying in our view.[1]
Practical move: Involve speech therapists and Malay-language experts early in design.
What Malaysians can do now
- Ask your child's therapist whether picture-based communication cards suit your child before trying any new tool.
- Educators: list the objects and phrases pupils use daily, because the tool depends on that content.
- Wait for UPM to publish price, availability and trial results before budgeting for a centre or classroom.
What we still do not know
Several details are still open.
- How families and schools can get the tool, on which devices and at what price.
- Whether children in trials communicated better, and how many took part.
- Which AI model creates the cards and the Malay voice, and how children's photos are stored.
Sources
- 1.UPM bangunkan MyEkspresiKata, inovasi AI bantu kanak-kanak autisme berkomunikasi dalam Bahasa Melayu Universiti Putra Malaysia, 23 October 2026
- 2.MyEkspresiKata, bantu kanak-kanak autisme berkomunikasi Radio Televisyen Malaysia, 19 October 2026
- 3.File:Alternative Communication in the Founders Park of the City of Rehovot, January 2025 01.jpg Wikimedia Commons, 24 January 2025
- 4.File:Putra Science Park, UPM.jpg Wikimedia Commons, 30 October 2023
- 5.File:XMUM entrance (211127).jpg Wikimedia Commons, 27 November 2021
