PROTON has achieved a global milestone by introducing the world’s first Bahasa Melayu Voice Recognition (VR) system in its newly launched All-New PROTON X50. This breakthrough arrives seven years after the carmaker debuted its English “Hi Proton” VR feature in Malaysia, elevating convenience, safety, and accessibility for local drivers.
The centrepiece of the X50’s upgraded technology is a 14.6-inch infotainment display now capable of processing commands in both Bahasa Melayu and English. This dual-language integration makes PROTON the first automaker to deliver such advanced voice command capabilities in a production vehicle.
The new Bahasa Melayu VR system has been affectionately named “Aisyah”, designed to feel approachable and familiar — like a trusted friend or family member. Development began in October 2024 and was completed in May 2025, a significantly shorter timeframe than the originally planned year-long project. The process involved collecting 4,000 Bahasa Melayu and 4,000 English command variations.
In collaboration with ACO Tech, PROTON invested over 336,000 manhours to make this innovation possible. More than 200 voice samples, evenly split between male and female speakers, were recorded to capture natural language use and variations. Commands such as “buka tingkap” and “bukakan tingkap” (both meaning “open the window”) were incorporated to ensure the system understands everyday speech patterns.
PROTON’s voice recognition journey began in 2018 with the Geely Smart Ecosystem (GKUI) in the Proton X70. The X50 followed in 2022, becoming Malaysia’s first connected car to feature the ATLAS OS infotainment system, optimised for Malaysian English commands. The “Hi Proton” feature quickly became a daily convenience, allowing hands-free control over calls, music, navigation, windows, sunroof, and air-conditioning — all contributing to safer driving.
Data from June 2025 highlights the system’s popularity, with “Hello” being the most used command (43,896 instances), followed by “What” queries (40,779) and “Call” requests (24,647). That month alone recorded 2.8 million transactions from 228,046 active users.
The new VR system will receive continuous upgrades via over-the-air (OTA) updates, expanding its vocabulary and intelligence. It can already interpret creative commands like “I want to see the sky” to open the sunroof, and future versions will include male voice support as well as additional languages and dialects.
Zhang Qiang, Deputy CEO of PROTON Edar, said the launch underscores PROTON’s role as a technology pioneer:
“Integrating Bahasa Melayu into our voice recognition system is a natural progression. This innovation reflects our commitment to creating technology made by locals, for locals, and ensures it truly connects with Malaysian drivers.”
With “Aisyah” leading the way, the All-New PROTON X50 sets a new benchmark for in-car technology, blending local identity with global innovation.
