Meet Steve Ho: The Robo‑Runner Who Brains With a Remote‑Controlled Car
Ever wonder what it’d be like if your take‑out was chauffeured by a toy racer? Steve Ho, a 35‑year‑old Singaporean, decided to put that fanciful idea to the test with a little RC‑car full of ambition.
July 23 – The Coffee Shop Caper
- Setup: Armed with a camera and a mic, Steve unleashed his remote‑controlled companion on a two‑minute TikTok marathon that spanned from his apartment to the neighborhood coffee shop.
- First Contact: The car arrived in all its plastic glory, startling the station staff. “Is this to collect delivery?” one assistant asked.
- Dialogue in Mandarin: Through the built‑in speaker, Steve chirped, “Pretty lady, I’d like to order a salted egg pork rib rice.” The counter clerk counter‑queried, “Where’s the money?” and Steve replied, “It’s in my box.”
- Unexpected BFF: While the kitchen crew jammed plates onto the cart, a staff member waved with the camera, capturing the machine’s glory. When the rover attempted a U‑turn and hit a wall, a playful employee helped redirect it.
- Technology mishap: In the comment section, Steve admitted he’d accidentally dropped the car into high‑torque mode, causing the mishap.
- Return Route: He noted he still needed to shuttle the car up and down the lift lobby to bring it back home.
Why the Robot?
Steve cites a surge in Covid‑19 cases as the driving force: “I’m cutting down on public crowd‑sized outings.” He’s not the only one in China using RC cars to skip the queue, but in his little apartment, it’s the perfect way to avoid handshakes.
Prototype Time‑frame
Building a working prototype took Steve “a couple of months,” thanks to shipping delays from China. He won’t say how much the gear set cost, but the effort was definitely worth the viral payoff.
The Prequel: Supermarket Shenanigans (July 15)
- Mission: A four‑minute TikTok where the robot tried to buy a chilled Coca‑Cola and an ice cream.
- Obstacle: The car couldn’t reach the traffic light button, meaning it had to wait for store staff to respond.
- First Hire: “Hello, any Giant staff around? I want to buy something,” the robot said. A bewildered male staff member questioned the precision of the automaton. After a few repetitions, Steve clarified the purchase list.
- Cash Strategy: He tossed a $10 bill inside the cart basket to pay for the snacks.
Community Reaction
The YouTube‑style TikTok vid has already earned over 103,700 views and 400+ comments from fans who praise Steve’s ingenuity. One commenter quipped, “This guy’s living in 3022,” while another suggested leaving a note inside the basket with the order to make life easier for the staff.
Takeaway
So next time you’re craving a burger or beers, think – maybe you can order from a robotic courier. Just make sure it’s got a decent “handshake” or a voice that can say, “Yo, here’s the cash.” And if it does a little U‑turn mishap, you’ll still get a story worth sharing!
Remote‑Controlled Car Delivery? Singapore’s Latest Food Hack
Picture this: you’re stuck at home, craving a steaming basket of buns, and your sole solution is a remote‑controlled car that’ll drive to the nearest bakery. That’s exactly what happened in Singapore this year, and it’s sparking both admiration and a splash of safety talk.
The Car: A Food‑Delivery Dream
Singapore’s tech luminary Ho unveiled his shiny quad‑copter‑powered vehicle that can deliver goods right to your doorstep. “It’s a fun way to combine robotics with everyday errands,” he joked, all eyes glued to the tiny machine zipping along the sidewalk.
Security? Not a Problem
- Ho’s got a GPS tracker and a live camera feed, so if anyone tries to jack the car, he’ll know exactly where it’s going.
- And if the hat‑cheater ends up stealing a bag of noodles instead, Ho says that’s utterly understandable — those must be the kind of people in a real “challenging and difficult” situation.
China’s Buns Story
Fast‑forward to February 2020, when a woman in China, surnamed Chen, found herself boxed in by quarantine, the pantry empty of the coveted steamed buns.
“My husband refused to go out, so I decided to use my trusty remote‑controlled car to buy some,” she told the South China Morning Post.
- She patched up the controller on her own, turning a hobby into a practical solution.
- However, the novelty attracted plenty of curious onlookers, prompting a quick pause on the project.
Drones on the Southern Islands
Meanwhile, in Singapore’s maritime realm, a pilot run began in March—staging food drops via drones over the Southern Islands for anyone on the island chain.
- The collaboration between Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), ST Engineering, and Foodpanda stretched from Marc 22 to Apr 9.
- It’s a direct nod to how tech can keep people fed even when they’re miles from the mainland.
All that said, each story shows a cheerful, forward‑thinking world where gadgets become the “chef’s assistant”—and maybe a little stop‑watch against the boredom of lockdown meals.
