Game-changing inventions from Singapore

When it comes to homegrown brands, Singapore’s got a lot to brag about. Names like Razer and Secretlab are instantly identifiable as “ours”, but there are plenty of other game-changing inventions originating from Singapore you may not have known about.

These include AI robots that help the fight against viruses and a machine that “prints” out fresh roti prata for you. Here are some innovative creations from Singapore that place our little red dot on the map.

1. Rotimatic – Fresh rotis at the touch of a button

The portion of water and flour is adjusted in real-time, making sure that each roti is consistently kneaded.
Image credit: Rotimatic

Singaporeans are known to be proud foodies, so it comes as no surprise that a local company called Zimplistic invented Rotimatic. This machine automatically churns out freshly made roti – all you have to do is put in ingredients such as flour and egg. 

This seemingly futuristic invention was the brainchild of Singaporean couple Rishi Israni and Pranoti Nagarkar who are accomplished inventors with 37 patents under their belt. Now, Rotimatic can be found in over 20 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Saudi Arabia. 

2. Big Tiny – Eco-friendly tiny homes for a sustainable future

The house-on-wheels concept means that a change of scenery shouldn’t be a problem for homeowners
Image credit: Big Tiny

While many of us dream of living in big mansions and luxurious manors, Big Tiny has us reconsidering how we look at our living space with their cosy tiny houses. Founded in 2017 by three Singaporean entrepreneurs, Big Tiny created minimalist yet functional tiny homes that people can purchase and rent out in various parts of Australia..

Tapping into the eco-friendly movement, Big Tiny sets themselves apart by putting wheels on their tiny homes for portability. They also set these homes up in rural yet scenic locations.

3. Igloohome – Smart security system that works offline too

Image credit: Igloohome

Even though digital locks have been around for some time, Igloohome is a relatively new kid on the block. The company was founded just six years ago, but their digital locks now stand toe-to-toe with tech giant brands like Samsung and Yale. 

What makes their digital locks a game-changer is its ability to send guests a PIN code to unlock the door without requiring a  WiFi connection. The company has already made waves in countries all around the world such as the US, Australia, and Germany, since their digital locks are perfect for AirBnB hosts.

4. Sunburst UV Bot – Disinfecting robots to help combat Covid-19

Image credit: KAZE Robotics

Singapore has made great strides in the effort to combat Covid-19. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that a Singaporean technology firm called PBA Group invented the Sunburst UV Bot, a robot that can carry out disinfecting jobs at public spaces.The bots are equipped with ultraviolet lights that can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

They are also programmed to follow a specific route, even stopping at key checkpoints to carry out disinfecting jobs. With reach into Malaysia, Thailand, and Hongkong, it has since been deployed in retail malls and hospitals and helps to protect frontline workers from being exposed to the virus.

5. ViSenze – Identify the clothes of your favourite idol

Find out what your favourite idol is wearing by using the ViSenze app
Image credit: App Store

ViSenze’s Egami app is like the Shazam of clothing – simply take a picture of the clothes you want to identify, and you’ll be able to find where to purchase similar items with prices included. 

The company may have bases in the US, China and Japan, to name a few, but its HQ is actually based in Singapore. Not many may know this, but the AI startup actually began as a research and development arm of the National University of Singapore and China’s Tsinghua University in 2012.

Now, their tech is being used to rock the fashion world, with large companies such as Zalora and Uniqlo utilising ViSenze to shape the next generation of shopping online and in stores. 

Learn how to grow your business at IP Week

These inventions are just a handful out of the many Singaporean innovations making waves globally. And if you’ve ever wondered just how local businesses can excel not just in Singapore, but overseas, you may want to mark down IP Week in your calendar from 24th – 25th August 2021. 

Organised by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and IPOS International, this event sheds light on how businesses, entrepreneurs and creators can grow their businesses using intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property (IP). You’ll gain access to insights from IP experts on how to create strategies that help bring local businesses onto an international platform. 

This year’s theme is Emerging Stronger With IP, and centres around teaching your business how to take advantage of the digitised economy with IP.

Here’s what you can expect to gain during the two-day event:

• IA/IP valuation: find out how much your company’s IP might be worth and make use of this information to generate new earnings
• Mock licensing negotiation: learn the trade secrets of successful IP licensing including how to safeguard your IP rights, balance risk and reward, and settle disagreements
• Associated events: as a bonus, there will be events such as beginner guides on how to identify your intangible assets. This also includes specific ways entrepreneurs from the hospitality and F&B sectors can benefit from IP on online platforms

Whether you’re a seasoned businessman or are an entrepreneur looking to make it big, IP Week may just help pave the way for you to churn out Singapore’s next game-changing invention. 

Find out how to utilise intellectual property at IP Week 2021

This post was brought to you by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
Cover image adapted from: Igloohome, Big Tiny, @rotimatic