My primary school going kiddos are already wearing smartwatches that allow them to make cashless payments in school for the food and school supplies, with the amount directly deducted through my account. And with the use of an app, I can track exactly what they have been up too and also need not fumble for small change every morning! The only thing constant is change itself and this is just one of the many new innovations available to consumers now. Can you imagine the numbers of new inventions that are not even in the market yet?
It was only last year that we attended Tech Saturday (Upsized!) 2017 for the very first time and now it is already in its fourth year. As a family, we had so much fun trying out the different new gadgets, and the kiddos especially loved creating new stuff with the 3D doodling pens. Of course, the movie screening, free popcorns and cotton candies were hot favourites with the crowd too! There was never a dull moment at the fair. Come 2 to 3 June 2018, I would personally recommend that you bring the entire family down to the exhibition at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 404 and 405 for a full day of learning and get a glimpse into the future, now. It opens from 11am – 7pm daily and best of all, admission is FREE!
For this year, Tech Saturday (Upsized!) 2018 will be segregated into 7 different zones, namely Live, Work, Learn, Play, Inspire, Invent and Marketplace. What is worth mentioning is that the innovative products and solutions that you will get to see in the Live and Work zones, are all proudly made in Singapore!
Live Zone
One of the innovations that piqued my interest would have to be the Ospicon’s SafetoSleep-ST200 baby wellness monitoring mat. It really pains me to see my little Starri hooked up numerous wires to monitor her heartbeat and oxygen level when she was just a few days old and unable to carry her properly. With this battery operated fiber optics sensor that can detect new born and preemies breathe count accurately and non-invasively, it will really the stress and anxiety off caring for the little one as an app will sound an alarm whenever any irregularity is detected.
Parents of furkids are also not forgotten. Some may be satisfied with watching their babies via IP cameras installed at home, but now with Pebby, one can even track, monitor and play with their pet anywhere in the world. Connect to this robotic ball via WiFi and you can interact and even entertain your pets even if you are not present. And of course, watch and capture all the cute moments too!
Work Zone
Now ultra-realistic Immersive Technology is no longer just available in the realms of the sci-fi movies but is available in real life. You can now try out these experiences by Serl.io using Microsoft’s holographic headset, HoloLens and see how they can be uses in Medical Training, as well as Urban Planning and Data Visualization.
Learn Zone
IM Road Safety Savvy - It is no longer just “Road Safety Park” type of learning but one can benefit from the various scenario-based simulations in Virtual Reality no less. Now the kiddos can learn how to cross the roads safely and in air-con comfort too.
Learning through Play Making - From Augmented Reality to building and construction with technology-enabled toys, learn how these emerging technology that is age-appropriate can help young learners to learn educational knowledge and skills through interactive play and create positive mind set of learning which is crucial in their growing up process as a learner.
Tech Talk – There will also be sharing of experiences by awe-inspiring speakers as they touch on topic such as gaming, raising digital natives and content creation at the Main Stage. As a parent, I will definitely be looking out for the talk by Vivian Kwek, Founder of Decoding Your Child and Life Coach, who also happens to be the mother of a teenage girl who was groomed online where she will be sharing useful tips on the warning signs to watch out for and how to balance online dangers with the opportunities that the digital age offers.
Play Zone
Drone Obstacle Racing – Drone photography are no longer "news" but have you experienced First Person View (FPV) experience with drones? Now you can work together with your kids to navigate a drone through a race scene course with hoops .
Digital Graffiti Wall – No worries about having to take care of the aftermath of the kiddos’ art sessions because this interactive installation allows one to spray grafitti onto the display wall using a 3D-printed spray can that feels and sounds like a real one. No breaking of the law, vandalising the wall or harming of health, but 100% fumes-free, easily erasable with the touch of a button and also 100% legal!
Star Wars Jedi Challenge – Star Wars Day just passed but that doesn’t mean that one cannot be a Jedi in June! So go one and don the headset, grab a lightsabre and immerse yourself in Lenovo’s Star Wars Jedi Challenge Augmented Reality experience.
Inspire Zone
Autonomous Transporter by SP - In collaboration with SICK Product Center Asia Pte Ltd, the Autonomous Transporter is planned to be deployed in public indoor facility where it provides personal transportation to public users, especially the elderly and reduce long walking distance. It is not just an electronic vehicle, but one that can perform navigation and move to specified destination with its navigation and anti-collision sensors to cater for static and human traffic.
Invent Zone
With over 50 tech and media workshops catering to all ages from preschools to the Silver Generation, there is definitely something for everyone! Check out the following samplers of workshops that the little ones can get to participate in based on their age group, as well as others that parents and adults can join in too!
Musician Makers: Exploring Music with DIY Ukelele (4 – 6 years old) - Build your own ukelele using Makeblock Neuron, discover the basics of music and develop your hand-eye coordination!
Build your own Robo-Pet (7 to 9 Years Old) - Always wanted a pet? Why not have a Robo-Pet instead! Build and programme your very own Robo-Pet! Learn about basic robotics via a hands-on experience with coding, electronics and physical prototyping. With a hummingbird robotics kit and some Scratch programming, see it come to live!
Construct a Drone with BLOCKs (Parent-Child) - Get ready to pilot a drone! Construct and learn about the various parts of a drone with BLOCKs.
Invent a Mood Lamp with micro:bit (Inter-Generation) - Build a mood lamp to reflect your mood or tell others how you feel! You will learn to program a micro:bit to adjust the speed of light transitions into different colors; or just to display a color of your choice, based on your mood!
Visit here for a full list of the available workshops, and you can register your interest immediately too. You better act first because the slots are really limited and the interest is high!
Useful Information
Date: Sat, 03 June and Sun, 04 June 2018
Time: 11am – 7pm
Location: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 404 and 405
Admission is FREE! For more information, check out www.techsaturday.sg
This is truly an event for everyone, and a great place to spend the weekend together with the whole family. Check out the many interesting workshops and plan your time wisely to get the best experience out of this totally free exhibition! So here you have it, the best lobang for the June holidays, with no need to spend a single cent, except maybe for public transport.
This post is brought to you in collaboration with IMDA. Come discover the future, today!
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