If the CTO of Beep Technologies has his way, devices from all over the world would be able to speak to each other — regardless of “language”

“The first time I tried to explain what we do at Beep Technologies (Beep Tech), I found myself leaning on a strange but fitting metaphor: the Babel Fish. You may remember it from Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — a tiny creature that translates any spoken language into another, making communication effortless. 

That’s what we’re trying to do but for technology. In Southeast Asia, where devices and systems are often imported from around the globe, integration is anything but seamless. A vending machine from Europe speaks one “language”, while a charger from China speaks another, with each device operating on its protocol. We build platforms that unify these systems, translating their fragmented languages into something universally understandable. 

One of our main projects, VoltNet, is like a roaming network for electric vehicle chargers. It allows drivers to access chargers from any operator — even across countries — without needing separate apps. For us, it’s about building a future where interactions with devices are as easy as slipping a Babel Fish into your ear.

Being the CTO of Beep Tech has its challenges. People still see us as the “vending machine company” — something we became known for during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a frantic time. We scaled from a few transactions per day to handling hundreds per second to ensure citizens could redeem essential items like masks efficiently. I’m proud of what we did. It wasn’t just about the technology but about keeping up with the immense pressure to serve the community in a time of need. 

But now, I hope to be known for something more — for our work in the eMobility space. I believe this is where we can make lasting changes in Southeast Asia. Climate change is not some distant problem — it’s here. Singapore, a city-state at the mercy of rising sea levels, can’t afford complacency.

Defining success

Today, transport accounts for about 15 per cent of our carbon emissions, which is even higher in neighbouring countries. Decarbonising transport is a significant piece of the puzzle if we want to reach Net Zero by 2050. 

And one of the biggest obstacles to the adoption of electric vehicles is charging — it has to be more convenient than paying for petrol at a station. 

Our aim is to solve this through ecosystem integration, making it easy for users to find chargers, plan routes, and manage their energy needs without a second thought. By collaborating with manufacturers, we put real-time charger data directly on vehicle dashboards, making charging as intuitive as possible.

We’re also centralising fleet operations to offer businesses more control over their emissions. We’re still at the beginning, but I envision a world where interacting with unattended systems, like EV chargers, becomes seamless and enjoyable — something that doesn’t frustrate you but adds value to your day. 

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Success, to me, has always been about whether something I’ve worked on has genuinely improved people’s lives. During the pandemic, I saw it — our vending machines made a difference. Now, my sights are set on making a similar impact with eMobility and showing that our infrastructure can handle the transition and that we’re ready for change.

That’s when I’ll know we’ve succeeded. But it’s a long journey ahead. We’re in the early stages, and there’s still much to prove.

I don’t tell many people this, but the most challenging part of the job is loneliness. Being a CTO can be an incredibly isolating experience. Yes, you’re surrounded by your team, but when things go wrong, it’s your responsibility. You’re the one they look to for solutions, and the pressure to always have the answer is immense. It’s exhausting — constantly learning, being “the guy” who knows. 

It doesn’t help that most of my peers aren’t dealing with the same weight of responsibilities — the technical aspects of engineering combined with the broader challenges of running a company. I don’t have many people I can relate to, making it challenging.

Building a sustainable future

If I could go back in time and give myself advice before stepping into this role, I’d say three things. First, trust your instincts. Sometimes, I didn’t speak up because I doubted myself, which cost us. Now, I’ve learned to listen to that inner voice — if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. 

Second, I’d tell myself to network more — connect with mentors and push myself out of my comfort zone. Relationships are everything in this industry, and I’ve realised how much faster I could have grown if I’d sought guidance earlier. 

Lastly, I’d tell myself to learn more languages. We’re in such a diverse region, and the ability to communicate across cultures is invaluable. I wish I’d started learning Thai or Bahasa Melayu sooner.

Today’s world is daunting, especially with rising geopolitical tensions and a tech industry that feels increasingly inaccessible. But I’m hopeful. Human ingenuity has always prevailed in times of adversity. Whether it’s developing technologies that accelerate the adoption of clean energy or simple, practical changes in how we consume resources, I believe we have what it takes to build a sustainable future. 

For me, it’s about bringing together technology and resilience — finding that balance that allows us to survive and thrive. And honestly, I can’t think of a better mission for Beep Tech than to be part of that journey.”