Siblings, nine and seven, invent solution after seeing elderly woman fall

Seng Ian Hao and his sister Ing Le, now 15 and 13 respectively, with their inventions. Next to Ing Le is the QaneBrella - a walking stick cum umbrella - and Ian Hao is holding a walking stick with the Qanemate - an acronym for Quality Ambulatory Novel Equipment - attached to it. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE - When Seng Ian Hao was nine years old and his sister Ing Le was seven, they witnessed a fall at a hawker centre that changed the course of their young lives.

An elderly woman was trying to pick up her walking stick, which she had leaned against her table but had slid to the ground. As she bent over, she lost her balance and fell, hitting her head.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.