From Dreams to Reality: The Bedroom Workshop of a Young Inventor

In a small room in Singapore, 25-year-old inventor Jacob Uy has transformed iconic science fiction fantasies into thrilling realities! Armed with a 3D printer and a flair for innovation, he's creating fully functional replicas of beloved movie gadgets, including a Spider-Man-inspired web-shooter and an incredible lightsaber.

Behind the Scenes of Ingenious Creations

Jacob's bedroom desk looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie itself, cluttered with cables, tools, and prototype parts. For the past six years, he has been perfecting his designs, working tirelessly on the sixth prototype of his lightsaber, a project that kicked off three years ago. Each version gets sturdier and reacts faster, replicating the look and feel straight from the Star Wars universe.

Engineering Fun: Making Your Own Lightsaber!

Imagine wielding a lightsaber that can extend and retract within three seconds! Jacob utilizes a magician's cane, outfitted with ultra-bright LED strips, to create an awe-inspiring lightsaber hilt that mimics Cal Kestis’ weapon from the Star Wars video games. Unlike standard toys, his lightsaber is a feat of engineering that elevates play to extraordinary levels.

From Classroom to Creator: A Community of Innovators

Jacob’s journey began among a group of like-minded movie enthusiasts he met at Olin College in 2022. His email call for help attracted fellow engineering students, transforming a whimsical dream into an ambitious reality. "Building a lightsaber was a dream come true for me," Jacob reminisced. His fascination with gadgets stems from his childhood of crafting elaborate creations out of Lego, inspired by movie characters who are inventors in their own rights.

Channeling Spider-Man: A Web-Shooter that Works!

But it's not all about lightsabers! Jacob has also crafted a functional web-shooter—the size of a watch—that fires a spring-loaded thread up to three meters. With a simple pull of a string, users can experience a taste of being Spider-Man! He’s currently refining this gadget, adding a retracting mechanism to save users the hassle of coiling the string manually.

A YouTube Sensation on the Rise

Jacob gained fame after a 2018 video showcasing his web-shooter prototype went viral, racking up an astonishing 41 million views! Today, he boasts over 300,000 subscribers on YouTube, supporting his business, HeroTech, which he established in Singapore. His channel not only serves as a source of income but a platform to inspire others in the world of DIY gadgets.

Navigating Copyrights in a Creative World

Jacob is savvy when it comes to copyright—he’s careful about what he sells. His thread-shooter, priced at $349 (S$450), has sold to over 1,000 satisfied customers as it sidesteps copyright issues. However, he remains cautious with the lightsaber and currently doesn’t plan to sell it.

Building the Future, One Gadget at a Time

First and foremost a YouTube creator, Jacob is passionate about demonstrating how sci-fi gadgets can be safely brought to life. The profits from his sales are reinvested into HeroTech to enhance his prototypes and pursue new designs. With plans to hire engineering interns soon, Jacob Uy is not just building gadgets—he’s building a community of innovators! Get ready, the future of gadget-making is bright with Jacob at the helm!