Marita Cheng AM, born on March 5, 1989, has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of technology and innovation. Renowned as the founder of Robogals, she attained the distinguished honor of being named the 2012 Young Australian of the Year. Currently serving as the CEO of Aubot, a dynamic robotics startup, Cheng has also co-founded Aipoly, an innovative mobile app aimed at assisting visually impaired individuals in object recognition. Her remarkable contributions to the field have earned her international acclaim, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in technology. In recognition of her significant service to science and technology, particularly in the domain of robotics, Cheng was appointed a member of the Order of Australia on June 9, 2019.
At just 19 years old, Marita Cheng founded Robogals, a pioneering initiative dedicated to inspiring young girls to pursue careers in engineering. Through Robogals, Cheng and her team visit schools, conducting robotics workshops to ignite interest and passion among young women for STEM fields. Her efforts were not only recognized locally but also earned her the prestigious title of Young Australian of the Year in 2012.
Cheng’s entrepreneurial journey continued to soar as she co-founded Aipoly, a groundbreaking app that utilizes convolutional neural networks to assist visually impaired individuals in recognizing objects using their mobile phones. The app’s revolutionary technology garnered widespread acclaim, winning the CES Best of Innovation Award two years consecutively.
In addition to her remarkable achievements in the tech industry, Marita Cheng’s advocacy for women’s empowerment extends beyond her professional endeavors. She actively promotes diversity and inclusion in engineering and technology sectors, serving on various boards and advisory committees focused on advancing women’s representation and opportunities in STEM fields.
Despite facing financial challenges growing up in Cairns, Australia, Cheng excelled academically, graduating with top honors from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics and a Bachelor of Computer Science. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in the tech world serves as an inspiration to aspiring women in STEM globally.
Marita Cheng’s impact transcends borders, with her innovative solutions and unwavering dedication to empowering women leaving an indelible mark on the tech industry and society as a whole. Her pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire and uplift women in technology around the world.
For Marita Cheng, the sky is not the limit – it’s just the beginning of her journey towards creating a more inclusive and technologically advanced world.
Here are five key things to know about Marita Cheng:
- Founder of Robogals: Marita Cheng established Robogals, an organization aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, particularly engineering. Through workshops and community activities, Robogals encourages female participation.
- Young Australian of the Year: In 2012, Marita Cheng was honored with the title of Young Australian of the Year in recognition of her outstanding contributions to society, particularly in promoting STEM education and empowering women in technology.
- CEO of Aubot: Cheng serves as the CEO of Aubot, a startup robotics company dedicated to developing innovative technologies with a focus on improving various aspects of daily life. Under her leadership, Aubot has gained recognition for its groundbreaking initiatives.
- Co-founder of Aipoly: Alongside her endeavors with Robogals and Aubot, Marita Cheng co-founded Aipoly, an app designed to assist visually impaired individuals in recognizing objects using their mobile phones. Aipoly’s innovative approach has garnered attention for its potential to enhance accessibility and independence for the visually impaired community.
- Member of the Order of Australia: In June 2019, Marita Cheng was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in acknowledgment of her significant contributions to science and technology, particularly in the field of robotics. This prestigious honor reflects Cheng’s dedication to driving positive change through her work.