“You can call me IoT Man.”

That was the casual yet defining moment when I embraced the name—not just as a label but as a symbol of everything I’ve poured into it.

But before that nickname ever stuck, before anyone even recognized my face or my voice in the realm of smart cities and connected devices, I was just a curious kampung boy who loved science fiction, obsessed with The Jetsons, and dreamt of a future where machines talked to each other.

I didn’t know it then, but that fantasy would eventually become my destiny.

The Spark That Ignited It All

In the 70s, I grew up with dusty comics, DC superheroes, and futuristic cartoons that seemed out of reach. I was always asking questions: “How does that work?”, “What if buildings could talk?”, “Why can’t my bicycle tell me when its tire is flat?” You know… typical “crazy kid” questions no one took seriously.

But I took them seriously.

Years later, that same boy became an engineer, researcher, and executive, hopping across universities, government agencies, and corporate towers. I had the titles and the recognition—and yet, I felt something was missing.

I wasn’t building the future I dreamed about.

Until I stumbled upon three letters that changed everything: IoT.

To me, the Internet of Things wasn’t just a buzzword. It was the missing puzzle piece. It was like someone finally handed me the blueprint of the world I used to imagine as a child.

I dove headfirst into it. It became an obsession. No, scratch that — it became a mission.

Why the Name “IoT Man” Chose Me

People often ask me, “Did you give yourself that name?” No, I didn’t. It started as a whisper on social media.

I was posting daily. Articles, LinkedIn updates, tweets, TikToks — all about IoT. I shared failures, ideas, insights, and case studies. Some people rolled their eyes. “Dia ni tak habis-habis cerita pasal IoT.”

Others started to notice.

One day, someone tagged me in a post and wrote, “Here comes the IoT Man again.” At first, I chuckled. “Macam superhero pulak.”

But then it stuck. People started calling me that — students, entrepreneurs, CEOs, even strangers at conferences. I would introduce myself, and they’d say, “Oh! You’re the IoT Man!”

And honestly?

It warmed my heart every single time.

Because it meant they saw me, they saw what I stood for, and they recognized the fire I carried.

Why It’s More Than Just a Nickname

You see, “IoT Man” isn’t just a personal brand.

It’s a reminder that in a world flooded with noise, consistency still matters. If you keep showing up, keeping writing, and keeping sharing, people will notice.

It’s a tribute to every sleepless night I spent building FAVORIOT from scratch with a small team and big dreams, to every time I was told, “Malaysia’s not ready for IoT,” or “Smart Cities won’t work here.”

It’s a badge earned through trials, through countless rejections, postponed projects, budget cuts, technical failures, and platform bugs, and through restarting when others gave up.

“But what if this doesn’t work?” I often asked myself during those quiet, lonely moments.

“Then I’ll try again tomorrow,” I’d reply.

The name “IoT Man” represents that spirit.

The Responsibility That Comes With It

Being known as the “IoT Man” also means people expect answers, solutions, and inspiration.

And that’s not something I take lightly.

That’s why I started sharing knowledge for free through podcasts like Jom Pakai IoT, articles, TikTok videos, and books. I also train others, mentor startups, and advise universities.

Because I’m not just building a company. I’m building a movement.

A movement to make IoT accessible. To make Malaysia a global hub of smart innovations. To show the kampung boy in every corner of the country that yes, you can shape the future too.

Legacy Over Popularity

I don’t want to be remembered just as a CEO or engineer.

I want to be remembered as the guy who sparked a generation.

The one who didn’t just talk about the future — but built it.

The one who lifted others along the way, who simplified the complex, who wore the “IoT Man” cape not for show but to carry the hopes of students, makers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers.

Because at the end of the day, all I ever wanted was to make a difference.

Final Reflection: A Name, A Mission

Sometimes, I look in the mirror and ask myself, “Are you still worthy of that name?”

Some days, I feel I’ve done enough, and most days, I feel like I’m just getting started.

So, if you see me online or bump into me at a café or tech event, don’t hesitate to say hi. Just say, “Hey, IoT Man!”

I’ll smile. And I’ll know that the journey — every twist, every fall, every leap — has been worth it.

Because that name is no longer just about me.

It belongs to the mission.

And the mission still burns bright.

— Mazlan Abbas, your friendly neighborhood IoT Man. Let’s transform the world together!