Jacob Uy, the 25-year-old home inventor from Singapore has been taking the YouTube platform by storm. By making the world of sci-fi technology come alive, he hooks in sort of non-traditional audiences! Since she was a little girl, Uy has been a big movie buff. His love for cinema has inspired him to build realistic replicas, such as this lightsaber which he now refers to as “a dream realized.”
Uy first got to work on his lightsaber prototype three years ago and is now working on its sixth version. It’s clear that the homemade lightsaber is much better than most toys you would see in department stores. This is a clear reflection of Uy’s commitment to exceptionalism and cutting edge approach.
His workbench is a testament to his love and attention. It’s a bustling space, cluttered with cables, cutters, soldering irons, and scraps from previous prototypes. For the last six years, Uy has gone all-in on gadget-making. Those two revelations inspire a wonderful dedication that has driven his research to the incredible accomplishments we find within.
In addition to the lightsaber, Uy is developing a web-shooter that features a mechanism capable of retracting the string. This captivating device shoots out a magic retraction string. At the other end of the cord is a high-strength magnet that quickly secures to any magnetic surfaces. His prototype web-shooter has drawn major media interest, leading to more than 1,000 pre-orders at US$349 a pop.
Uy’s YouTube channel has more than 300,000 subscribers, the core of his business HeroTech’s main source of revenue. With his amazing videos, not only does he make all these cool gadgets come to life, but he teaches you the engineering design process that goes into creating them.
“Spider-Man makes his own web-shooters. Tony Stark builds his own suit, and even Luke Skywalker built his own lightsaber… You can describe engineering in many different ways, but for me, engineering is the bridge between science fiction and reality.” – Jacob Uy
Additionally, he is at the forefront of implementing cutting-edge technology into his engineering practice. With tools including 3D printers and light-emitting diode (LED) strips, he brings his creations to life. Uy’s unique combination of creative vision and technical proficiency allows him to make his childhood dreams a reality. Beyond just ideas, he makes concrete things that science fiction nerds really respond to.
It’s not been an easy road taking this idea and seeing it through to a full-fledged product. Uy has spent hundreds of hours developing and revising each design and figuring out what doesn’t work in the process. It’s his commitment to safety that really stands out. On top of that all, he ensures that every gadget works well and that it’s safe to use!
With every new prototype, Uy hopes to encourage others who are equally passionate about engineering and creative innovation. His journey is a great example of how personal passions can drive innovation and how technology can turn what once was only imagined into something tangible.
Leave a Reply