We interviewed the inventors of Tray Tabletop to learn how they responded to a massive challenge brought about by the pandemic. The team — Hongyu, Naryssa, Kris, and Wee Kiat (not featured) — participated at the 2020 Invention Convention Singapore Open Nationals.
Why did your team invent the Tray Tabletop?
Hongyu (H): Our invention promotes safe dining at hawker centres in Singapore. Because hawker centres are a very special place that we visit almost every single day, we wanted to ensure safety while dining in hawker centres. Hawker centres have also been affected adversely during the pandemic and, therefore, our invention will help to promote safe dining in hawker centres.
What was your favourite part of the invention programme?
H: My favourite part of the invention programme was actually the judging because finally we got to see the reaction of different experts in different fields and what they think of our invention. We also managed to collect local feedback from them and that’s why I really liked the judging process.
What were some challenges you faced?
Naryssa (N): We were juggling between school projects and the competition, and our time was quite tight.
How did the invention programme benefit you and your teammates?
Kris (K): We got to learn many new things like making the prototype and learning to look from the perspective of others. It was also eye-opening and humbling as we got to meet other inventors.
Did you enjoy the programme?
K: [smiling widely] I definitely did enjoy the programme as I got to experience something new and also got to learn many new things throughout the journey.
How has the experience been working with Temasek Polytechnic (TP)?
N: Working with TP has made me become a more reliable and confident person and they will provide [us] with all the resources that I need.
How has working with TP helped to further the development of Tray Tabletop?
K: TP provided us with the resources to build our prototype, which made it much easier and convenient for us. They also provided the guidance in making the prototype.
IDE Academy thanks the team from Tray Tabletop for taking the time to interview with us!
Do you have an invention that solves a problem too? Join us as an inventor at the 2021 Invention Convention Singapore Open Nationals to showcase your invention!
