Sam W. T. Chan

Sam W. T. Chan

PhD Candidate

University of Auckland

About

I am a PhD Candidate at the Augmented Human Lab, University of Auckland. I create and explore technologies that enhance human memory and cognition to make positive impact on people’s lives and advance human potential. ๐ŸŒ

I completed my Bachelors in Engineering at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Formerly, I was an undergraduate researcher at SUTD-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) International Design Center in Robotics, Participatory Action Research and Personal Fabrication. During breaks, I make short-films ๐ŸŽฅ and play the ukulele, acoustic and electric bass guitar. ๐ŸŽธ Originally from Singapore, currently based in Singapore.

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Education
  • PhD, 2018 to Present

    University of Auckland

  • B.Eng in Engineering Product Development and Electrical Engineering, 2016

    Singapore University of Technology and Design

  • Summer Student in Industrial Design, 2014

    Zhejiang University

Vision

My research aims to build the next generation of memory augmentation technologies, which use biosignals (physiological responses) to peer deeper into peopleโ€™s cognitive context and states, to give just-in-time memory training and assistance.

The diagram shows 5 nodes. From left, the first node shows examples of biosignals used in my research, namely, heart rate variability, skin conductance and eye movements. This leads to the second node which is titled, cognitive context. Within this node, there is again two examples of the kinds of cognitive contexts I am looking to detect, calm state and the intention to recall. This leads to two separate nodes, memory training and memory assistance. The two nodes lead to the final node which is titled Memory Augmentation 2.0, showing that the ultimate vision is to create a second generation of technologies to augment memory.
Research Vision: Using biosignals to infer cognitive context for just-in-time memory interventions

Project Prospero explores using biosignals of heart rate variability and skin conductance to detect calm moments for memory training.

Project ProspecFit investigates digitally-mediating an effective memory training technique on smartphones.

Project KinVoices explores providing memory assistance through voice reminders in the voices of friends and family.

Project MemEye explores using eye-movements and other biosignals to detect intentions to recall information and provide adaptive memory assistance.

Projects

.js-id-Design
KinVoices

KinVoices

Voice reminders and interfaces in the voices of friends and family

2020

Prospero

Prospero

Exploring the use of biosignals to detect calm moments for chat-based memory training

2019

ProspecFit

ProspecFit

Digitally-mediating an effective memory training technique on smartphones

2018

fSense

fSense

Using heart-rate sensors in smartwatches to sense force during gestures and grasps

2018

Beyond Performance Scores

Beyond Performance Scores

Understanding cognitive-affective states in kindergarteners through performance scores, behaviour and biosignals

2017

Saber

Saber

Constructing a personal duel-worthy ‘lightsaber’ for fun and fitness

2017 to 2019

Doodle Daydream

Doodle Daydream

Collaborative display to encourage playful interactions in office spaces

2017

National Library

National Library

Reimagining and redesigning a childrens' green library in Singapore

2016

Salamander

Salamander

Amphibious rolling robot for search-and-rescue and marine biology surveys

2015

Ho Chi Minh Community Design

Ho Chi Minh Community Design

Co-designing community space with residents, students and faculty in Vietnam

2015

Compression Sportswear

Compression Sportswear

Designing modular sportswear to enhance runners' performance and blood circulation

2014

Film

Film

Collection of short-films

2014 to 2019

3D Printers

3D Printers

Designing reliable, low-cost 3D printers for personal fabrication

2013

Side Projects

.js-id-Side-Projects
KinVoices

Voice reminders and interfaces in the voices of friends and family

2020

Prospero

Exploring the use of biosignals to detect calm moments for chat-based memory training

2019

ProspecFit

Digitally-mediating an effective memory training technique on smartphones

2018

fSense

Using heart-rate sensors in smartwatches to sense force during gestures and grasps

2018

Beyond Performance Scores

Understanding cognitive-affective states in kindergarteners through performance scores, behaviour and biosignals

2017

Saber

Constructing a personal duel-worthy ‘lightsaber’ for fun and fitness

2017 to 2019

Doodle Daydream

Collaborative display to encourage playful interactions in office spaces

2017

National Library

Reimagining and redesigning a childrens' green library in Singapore

2016

Salamander

Amphibious rolling robot for search-and-rescue and marine biology surveys

2015

Ho Chi Minh Community Design

Co-designing community space with residents, students and faculty in Vietnam

2015

Compression Sportswear

Designing modular sportswear to enhance runners' performance and blood circulation

2014

Film

Collection of short-films

2014 to 2019

3D Printers

Designing reliable, low-cost 3D printers for personal fabrication

2013

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
NUS-HCI Lab, National University of Singapore
Visiting Researcher
Jan 2022 โ€“ Present Singapore
 
 
 
 
 
R4D HCI Team, Mercari Inc.
Junior Researcher (Research Intern)
Sep 2021 โ€“ Present Tokyo, Japan (Remote)
Addressing hoarding behaviours and promoting selling pre-loved items on Mercari peer-to-peer marketplace app using Diminished Reality to remove objects in the Augmented Reality scene, allowing you to visualise your “cluttered space” as a “decluttered space”.
 
 
 
 
 
Unleash Space, University of Auckland
Creative Technologist
Jan 2019 โ€“ Nov 2019 Auckland, New Zealand
  • Conducted training for fabrication equipment use (laser-cutters, 3D-printers, CNC machines).
  • Assisted and advised students on developing their creative and entrepreneurial projects.
  • Facilitated workshops on topics including Arduino, Makey-Makey robots, AR/VR in Unity.
 
 
 
 
 
SUTD-MIT International Design Centre
Researcher - Robotics
May 2015 โ€“ Aug 2016 Singapore
  • Developed mobile wireless control for amphibious rolling robot via MIT AppInventor and Arduino.
  • Designed flexible 3D-printed sleeve in Solidworks to enhance robot’s land and water movement.
  • Research work resulted in a publication, was demoed in Europe Maker Faire 2015 and featured on Discovery Channel Canada.

Salamander Project

 
 
 
 
 
Ho Chi Minh Community Design Project, SUTD
Researcher - Participatory Action Research
Jan 2015 โ€“ Apr 2016 Vietnam and Singapore
  • Conducted community design workshops, feedback and interviews with residents of Phu Xuan.
  • Co-designed and built community space including a bamboo playground with residents, project team and students from local Vietnamese universities.
  • Project resulted in a design report booklet and received the SUTD Humanitarian Award.

Ho Chi Minh Community Design Project

 
 
 
 
 
Chemtax, Orient Befit and Zhejiang University
Industrial Design Intern and Summer Student
May 2014 โ€“ Aug 2014 Hangzhou, China
  • Designed compression sportswear prototype, which could enhance runners' performance and blood circulation, using Adobe Illustrator and Rhinoceros 3D software.
  • Work was exhibited in Zhejiang University in 2014, SUTD in 2014 and 2015.

Compression Sportwear Project

 
 
 
 
 
SUTD-MIT International Design Centre
Researcher - Personal Fabrication
Sep 2013 โ€“ Jul 2015 Singapore
  • Built and analysed open-source 3D printer designs to develop reliable and low-cost designs.
  • Developed two prototypes based on findings which were demoed in Singapore Maker Faire 2015.

3D Printers Project

Awards and Honours

๐Ÿ† Distinguished Graduate Award
Awarded for leadership and community engagement services to the University of Auckland community.
๐Ÿ† Gold Pin Award
In recognition of the research project Prospero at The Best Design Awards. The Gold Pin is coveted under each category as the best in category (Student Digital Category).
๐Ÿ… Honorable Mention, World Changing Ideas Award
In recognition of the project Prospero (Student Category).
๐Ÿ† Female Founders Prize by UniServices
In recognition of the project Prospero for outstanding venture idea at Velocity Innovation Challenge.
๐ŸŽ“ Auckland Bioengineering Institute Doctoral Scholarship
Full-scholarship awarded by The University of Auckland to pursue doctoral studies
๐ŸŽ“ SUTD President’s Graduate Fellowship
Full-scholarship awarded by Singapore University of Technology and Design to pursue doctoral studies.
๐Ÿ† SUTD Humanitarian Award
Awarded for outstanding humanitarian work in the research project Ho Chi Minh Community Design Project.
๐Ÿ† Habitat for Humanity Dedicated Service Award
Awarded for dedicated service as Treasurer of organization’s Campus Chapter in SUTD.

Publications

I publish in premier venues in Human-Computer Interactions including CHI, IMWUT (Ubicomp) and CSCW.

๐Ÿ” Filter publications

Contact

If you’re interested in collaborating to expand these ideas and projects together or if you’re just looking to chat, feel free to reach out: