Nathaniel Neo / Design & AI

Building useful systems with a designer's eye.

SUTD Design & AI undergraduate creating interfaces, medical devices, robotics prototypes, and civic technology for real communities.

Featured project 01 / 06
Keeper smart service hub exhibition
Myoelectric prosthetic arm prototype
Project Luminote award showcase
Autonomous robotic car expo project
Blood pressure monitor casing prototype
Hangzhou Alibaba industry visit

Keeper Smart Service Hub

Year 2 SUTD 4.43 GPA 9+ years civic leadership 8+ key builds
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// STUDENT. BUILDER. CIVIC LEADER. //

About Me

I’m a Year 2 undergraduate at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), pursuing Design and Artificial Intelligence. I’m deeply passionate about building computational systems that bring together mathematics, engineering, and thoughtful human-centered design - transforming complex ideas into experiences that feel intuitive, elegant, and meaningful.

But beyond technology, I believe who we become is shaped by the people around us.

The friendships I’ve built, the communities I’ve served in, and my experiences in volunteering and national service have all played a part in shaping my perspective. Through organising events, working with teams, and serving others, I’ve learned that growth is never an individual journey. It comes from shared experiences, challenges, and the people who quietly influence us along the way.

Those experiences have made me someone who appreciates the smaller things in life, finds fulfillment in bringing joy to others, and remains endlessly curious about what could be built, improved, or reimagined. I want to create things that not only work well, but leave a meaningful impact on the people around them.

LET'S CONNECT
// HIGH-ACHIEVING ACADEMIC HISTORY //

Academic Path

SUTD University

B.Sc. Design & AI

4.43 GPA
  • TIIDE Scholarship
  • SgIS National Scholar
  • Baby Shark Prototyping
  • What The Hack 1st Place
Temasek Poly

Biomedical Eng Diploma

3.83 GPA
  • Forevertrust 1st Prize
  • WorldSkills Top 10
  • LKY STEP Scholar
  • CCA Leadership Merit
  • Safety Award
ITE College Central

Nitec in Electronics, Computer Networking & Comms

4.0 GPA
  • Valedictorian
  • Gold Course Medal
  • IES Engineering Award
  • LKY STEP Scholar
  • Perfect GPA
// SELECTED WORK //

Shaping Experiences That Make Life Simpler

I'm a Design & AI student focused on building clean, intuitive interfaces, IoT systems, and automated medical devices that solve real-world problems.

Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm
TP SCHOLARSHIP WORK

Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm

Adaptive biomedical arm designed with additive compliance mechanisms and controlled using EMG joint reverse engineering.

LionsBot Keeper Smart Hub
SUTD INDUSTRY STUDIO

LionsBot Keeper Cart

Zero-strain motorized housekeeping trolley engineered with load-sensing inventory tracking and active UV-C sterilization.

Project Luminote SUTD Showcase
SUTD CLASSROOM DESIGN

Project Luminote Whiteboard

Ergonomic classroom collaboration whiteboard utilizing hand-tracking OpenCV computer vision and precision breadboard electronics.

VIEW DETAILED CASE STUDY
// FULL PORTFOLIO //

Featured Case Studies

A selection of tech systems and physical products engineered to solve real community pain points.

Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & 3D PRINTING

Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm with Compliance

Designed and built an adaptive biomedical prosthetic controlled via muscle sensors. Reverse-engineered finger kinematics and printed lightweight compliance mechanism joints. Voted as the 1st Place recipient of the prestigious Forevertrust Projects Prize 2022.

Read LinkedIn Article
LionsBot Keeper Cart
PRODUCT DESIGN & IOT SOLUTIONS

Keeper: Zero-Strain Smart Housekeeping Trolley

Co-designed a fully motorized hospitality trolley with LionsBot Singapore to automate hotel inventory tracking. Built integrated load-cells for laundry scales, power-assisted driving, and active UV disinfection under a Double Diamond framework.

Project Luminote SUTD
DESIGN THINKING & COMPUTER VISION

Project Luminote Whiteboard Collaboration

Designed a low-cost, smart classroom whiteboard system combining hand OpenCV computer vision, custom electronics, and ergonomic 3D printed modular pen holders. Voted as one of the **top academic projects in SUTD amongst 500+ freshmores**.

View Project Details
ITE Autonomous Robotic Car
ROBOTICS & HARDWARE LAYOUTS

Robotics Expo Custom Autonomous Car

Represented ITE at the prestigious **Singapore International Robo Expo** by building a custom physical autonomous vehicle. Coded real-time pathfinding logic, customized electrical wiring layouts, and managed sensors.

Show Expo Details
BP Monitor Medical Device
BIOMEDICAL & EMBEDDED CIRCUITS

Low-Cost Medical Blood Pressure Monitor

Developed a robust and highly portable healthcare device to measure patient blood pressure. Programmed an LCD monitor interface, completed precision custom physical breadboard wiring, and manufactured compact acrylic casing.

View BP Details
Hangzhou Alibaba Partner HQ
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & GROWTH

Rune-X & MirrorSoul ZJU Ventures

Created business models and retention designs during the SUTD TIIDE Program in Hangzhou, China. Formulated Rune-X member retention systems, developed MirrorSoul software repositories, and pitched startups on-stage at Zhejiang University (ZJU).

// PHILOSOPHY //

Who I Am & Design with Purpose

I believe in designing with purpose — that every design, and every leader, should carry a sense of identity, intention, and heart. Technology, to me, should never exist only as equations, simulations, or ideas trapped behind a screen. The things we create should mean something. They should reach people, serve communities, and make life feel a little more human.

My own journey has never been straightforward. There were moments where I doubted myself, struggled academically, and questioned whether I was capable of becoming the person I wanted to be. But growth is rarely linear. It is shaped by failures, second chances, the people who believe in us, and the experiences that quietly change us over time.

From struggling in school, to graduating from ITE with distinction, discovering a deep passion for engineering and design, and eventually pursuing Design & Artificial Intelligence at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), every step of my journey has taught me resilience, humility, and purpose.

Today, I carry those experiences into everything I build. I want to create systems that are not only technically meaningful, but emotionally meaningful too — things that can genuinely improve lives, bring people together, and leave a positive impact on the world around them.

Nathaniel Neo ITE Central Valedictorian Ceremony
// PROUD MOMENTS //

Awards & Honors

Baby Shark Prototyping Fund
SUTD Entrepreneurship
2025
What The Hack — Best Hack
SUTD Hackathon 1st Place
2024
TIIDE Innovation Scholar
Zhejiang Univ Bilateral Exchange
2024
Singapore Industry Scholarship (SgIS)
Co-funded National Undergraduate Award
2023
Forevertrust International Prize (1st)
Temasek Poly Biomedical Design
2022
ITE College Central Valedictorian
Perfect 4.0 GPA Gold Medalist
2018
// PUBLIC RECORD //

Media Spotlights & SPH Publications

Features in prominent national newspapers and official student success platforms.

LIANHE ZAOBAO EXCLUSIVE

Dinner Dialogue with SM Lee Hsien Loong

Co-organised a key community dialog dinner and presented local community plans to Senior Minister (then PM) Lee Hsien Loong, co-organising panels and featured in Zaobao.

Read Zaobao Article
Nathaniel Neo dining with SM Lee Hsien Loong
LIANHE WANBAO COVERAGE

PSLE Math 9 Marks to ITE Valedictorian

Featured in SPH Lianhe Wanbao and The New Paper for an inspiring turnaround story, overcoming poor elementary scoring to achieve a perfect 4.0 Valedictorian status.

Wanbao cover story clipping
ITE SPARK STORIES FEATURE

Rubik's Cube Speedcubing Feature

Featured by the national ITE channels for logical speed reasoning - solving a 3x3 Rubik's cube in a little more than ~20 seconds, bridging spatial logic with design skills.

Read Facebook Post
Speedcubing feature image
// ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL & LEAGUE CREDENTIALS // Temasek Poly: Lee Kuan Yew STEP Scholar • Forevertrust Prize (1st) • WorldSkills SG Top 10 • CCA Merit Leadership Award • Engineering Safety Award
ITE College Central: Nitec Valedictorian (Perfect 4.0 GPA) • Course Gold Medalist • IES Engineering Award • Gold & Diamond Service Stars • CDC/CCC Scholar
// GLOBAL INITIATIVES //

Global Exposure & Civic Leadership

Applying computational AI and physical design to solve problems on an international scale.

Simple World Map Author: Al MacDonald Editor: Fritz Lekschas License: CC BY-SA 3.0 ID: ISO 3166-1 or "_[a-zA-Z]" if an ISO code is not available
Click a location dot to explore
// FOCUS AREAS //

Core Expertise

How I combine computational intelligence with practical, real-world physical systems.

COMPUTATIONAL AI & ML

Developing deep learning structures, computer vision OpenCV solutions, data member analytics, and computational design algorithms.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Physical prototyping, 3D printing compliance mechanisms, precision physical wiring layouts, joint reverse engineering, and sensor integration.

UX & PRODUCT STAGES

Conducting research following the Double Diamond framework, modeling color journeys, and developing motorized automation tools.

// SPORTS, LIFE SKILLS & ADVENTURE //

Passions & Hobbies

Exploring what inspires and keeps me active outside SUTD computational labs.

Competitive Bowling

Competitive Bowling

Competing in local bowling sports leagues, developing deep concentration focus and high coordination athletics.

SPORTS COMPETITION
Community Volunteerism

Civic Leadership

Serving over 9 years as Teck Ghee Youth Network Chairman. Organizing food campaigns and civic leadership dialogue.

GRASSROOTS LEADER
First Aid Certification

Lifesaving Skills

Completed advanced emergency response first aid certifications, mastering bandages and cardiac resuscitation.

FIRST AID COMPLETED
Mt Agung Summit Trekking

Adventure Trekking

Summiting rugged volcanic peaks in SE Asia, including conquering Mount Agung (3,142m in Bali), building endurance grit.

nature ADVenture
// GET IN TOUCH //

Let's Create
Something
Meaningful

I will get back to you within 24 hours.

DESIGN & AI MACHINE LEARNING CREATIVE COMPUTING SYSTEM DESIGN PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING DESIGN & AI MACHINE LEARNING CREATIVE COMPUTING SYSTEM DESIGN PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING