We have to design the interaction between the human and machine to be as user-friendly and seamless as possible, so that minimal or no training is required. This could be made possible by leveraging motion tracking sensors and head mounted displays commonly used in virtual reality applications.
In another project, his team is tasked to develop a robot that can go into a hazardous environment and is remotely operated by humans at a safe place.
“Similar to the movie Pacific Rim, where gigantic robots are controlled via natural human gait, we have to design the interaction between the human and machine to be as user-friendly and seamless as possible, so that minimal or no training is required. This could be made possible by leveraging motion tracking sensors and head mounted displays commonly used in virtual reality applications,” said Guoming.
Mechanical Engineer turned Tech Innovator
Since graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore in 2006, Guoming has embarked on a career which sparked his interest in contributing to national security.
After six years at the Defence Science and Technology Agency where he worked in armaments systems to equip SAF and deter external threats, he joined the MHA’s Office of the Chief Science and Technology Officer in 2012. This office had been formed in June 2008 for a small crack team to introduce cutting-edge science and technology to strengthen Singapore’s homeland security.
During this period, Guoming amassed knowledge and tested some of the most exciting and emerging technology for Home Team operations.
For instance, he worked on projects which used advanced video analytics to detect if inmates were showing aggression, multi-biometrics devices that captures and tracks the attendance of inmates at work, counselling and rehabilitation programmes via a NFC chip embedded in their wrist tags; an integrated smart device equipped with speech recognition and fingerprint enrolment capability to replace hardcopy diaries of CNB Investigation Officers for recording event logs and crime scene information; and virtual reality technologies to train police officers in the use of force.
Amongst all the projects, the Mobile Classroom (MobiC) was his favourite. “That I could gamify real-life operational scenarios to enhance training for our front line officers, was something which I found very fun and meaningful,” he said.
MobiC is a virtual reality training tool equipped with various virtual scenarios to train police officers to handle real life situations.
His motivation to contribute to homeland security has ramped up a notch since the formation of HTX, as he gets to work with larger teams on bigger-scale and even more ambitious projects to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Home Team.
A Dynamic Job
Guoming speaking about his projects (Photo: HTX)
Because his work requires him to keep tabs on emerging technologies, he has to continuously attend conferences and read up on the latest technology news to stay ahead of the technology curve.
It is even more critical as different technologies become inter-connected, and he has to know how they can potentially work together to achieve a force multiplier effect for the Home Team.
“It is also equally important to build a collaborative relationship with the Home Team Departments for better appreciation of operational challenges, as well as network with colleagues from different technology domains and industry experts to deliver transformative capabilities to the Home Team,” said Guoming.
Spoken like a true engineer, “Besides taking calculated risks, I also need to have the iron to accept responsibility for failures, and the resolve to continue pursuing innovation.”