Mr Johnny Tan (left) and Dr Lum (right)
In a world where technology keeps us connected across distances, we often find ourselves missing the depth of face-to-face interactions. Sure, we have instant messages, emojis, and gifs, but nothing quite replaces the subtleties of tone, facial expressions, and body language. Today’s story, though, is a bit different—it’s about how two founders came together through the most unexpected of places: a robotics competition!
We had the pleasure of chatting with Associate Professor Dr Lum and Mr Johnny Tan, two remarkable individuals whose journey to collaboration is as inspiring as their latest project.
A Meeting of Minds Over Machines
Dr Lum and Mr Johnny from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FOET), crossed paths when they started mentoring students in a robotics competition. It wasn’t long before they realised how well their skills complemented each other. Dr Lum, a PhD in Electrical Engineering, brings deep expertise in programming and designing electronic components. Meanwhile, Mr Johnny, a mechanical engineer with a background in the semiconductor industry, excels at crafting precise tools and modules. Together, they’re on a mission to make the world a safer place with their innovative project.
From Personal Experience to a Universal Solution
For Mr Johnny, the inspiration was personal. As a motorcyclist, he noticed that while cars are equipped with various safety features—like assisted braking, lane departure warnings, and blind spot alerts—motorcyclists are often left to fend for themselves. This realisation sparked an idea: why not create a safety system tailored to the needs of motorcyclists? With Dr Lum’s coding and design skills, the duo can certainly innovate a useful safety system for motorcyclists.
Turning Conversations into Action
After countless discussions and in-depth research, Dr Lum and Mr Johnny realised that many existing solutions, though well-intentioned, often overlook the adoption phase. They saw an opportunity in this gap—a chance to create something that’s not just effective but easy to adopt. Their project is designed with the “slow adopters” in mind, offering a plug-and-play solution that doesn’t require a complete overhaul of existing systems.
Pricing Strategy: Learning from the Best
One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was hearing how Mr Johnny and Dr Lum drew inspiration from a local café chain’s pricing strategy to shape their own. The chain managed to strike a balance between affordability and quality, catering to a broad market without alienating anyone. This approach resonated with the duo, who applied the same principle to find a sweet spot in the market for their product. By thoroughly researching pain points, commercial value, and the reasons people might adopt their solution, they’re carving out a niche in an underserved segment.
While we can’t reveal too much about their project just yet, we promise it’s something worth keeping an eye on.
Write-up and interview by: Omni X
