Snowstorm 'flies' to London
Singapore’s first personal flying machine, Snowstorm, will soon take its longest flight yet — to London. The team behind the internationally acclaimed aircraft has been invited to showcase its prototype at the prestigious Founders Forum in London, UK, from 15 to 16 June 2016.
The Founders Forum is touted as Europe’s leading tech gathering and brings together more than 3,000 of the world’s best digital and technology entrepreneurs.
Associate Professor Martin Henz from NUS Computer Science and NUS Engineering, who supervises the project together with Dr Rangarajan Jegadeesan from NUS Engineering, said that he was delighted to have received the invitation following Snowstorm’s maiden launch with a live subject last December. It is the team’s hope that showcasing the aircraft to a global audience at the Founders Forum will attract potential investors and allow for commercial development of the device. “We think this technology is ready to leave the university lab and serve the public by providing genuine flying experiences,” said Assoc Prof Henz.
The machine has undergone significant upgrading since the launch, boasting a stronger propulsion system, revamped electrical circuit and modified structural components for enhanced flight performance. Students from Team FrogWorks — a prototyping studio under NUS Engineering’s Design Centric Programme that originated in the University Scholars Programme — will highlight these improved features at the forum through hourly live demonstrations as well as one-on-one sessions with technology leaders and investors. Ahead of the trip, they will be conducting trials in NUS throughout May to thoroughly test the enhanced machine and accumulate more flying experience.
“The entire Snowstorm team is electrified by the prospect of participating in the world's leading technopreneurship event. Successful flight demonstrations at the Founders Forum will establish Snowstorm as the worldwide leader in manned multicopters, which will be crucial for succeeding in this exciting new market,” said Assoc Prof Henz.
The team, who has already received backing from NUS, Lee Foundation, Science Centre Singapore and Founders Forum, hopes to raise more funds for the journey through corporate sponsorships as well as private cash donations. Readers who wish to make a contribution to support Team FrogWorks may contact Assoc Prof Henz at dcsmjh@nus.edu.sg.
