Jasper Miller-Waugh: from motorised couch mastermind to Creative Technologist

21 March 2024

Jasper Miller-Waugh began his first year of university a few weeks ago, already primed to be an innovator with a love for turning quirky ideas into reality and a passion for all things tech. Jasper, along with his buddies Nathan, Taine, Ara, Cam, and Carolyn, entered university in style, on their self-built motorised couch, which debuted on campus at O Week.

The couch began as an idea when the group were secondary students in Whangarei, where they were members of Questionable Research Labs, an ideas incubator for experiments in science, tech and design. Their idea became a reality when Jasper’s team joined the Terrible Ideas Hackathon, and decided to give it a shot, using an old couch, some broken scooters, and a wheelchair that had seen better days. To make things more interesting, the motorised couch has been gamified. Each side is controlled separately, making the couch a teamwork exercise on wheels.

Building the motorised couch wasn’t all smooth sailing. Jasper and his crew had to get creative with the parts they had on hand, as ordering additional components was not an option. “But that’s part of the fun”, Japer says. “Figuring things out as you go and seeing your crazy ideas come to life.” Each setback was just another opportunity to learn and grow.

The Terrible Ideas Hackathon runs in multiple locations around the world, including Whangarei and at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland at Kura Matahuna, Unleash Space. The University’s iconic makerspace is run by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), and shortly after starting university, Jasper joined its staff.

While studying, Jasper also works as a Creative Technologist, teaching workshops and mentoring fellow students who want to try their hands at DIY projects. “I love working within the Makerspace, helping others learn how to use the new equipment, using the equipment myself and just the whole making environment. I also enjoy that the job allows me to develop my teaching skills. It has actually already helped me work on my own development. I believe there is no better way to learn a tool than having to teach its use to 10 people and then solve any issue that might come up”, Jasper explains.

Jasper’s journey doesn’t end with the motorised couch (which he is still planning to iterate and improve on). His passion for technology runs deep, being passed down by his father and brother, who he looks to for inspiration. Jasper’s initial interest in technology is rooted in his childhood, watching his brother tinker with tech, as well as his early days at the Questionable Research Lab. What began as a curiosity for programming and robotics evolved into a fascination for all things tech, which continues to this day. For Jasper, innovation isn’t just about building cool gadgets, it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Jasper is pursuing a degree in Engineering, with a focus on Mechatronics. He wants to take his tinkering to the next level, honing his skills and knowledge in pursuit of bigger and better projects. In the future Jasper wants to continue working in the start-up scene across disciplines. He loves challenges and finding innovative solutions, and is keeping his eyes open for new exciting opportunities on his journey to becoming a game-changer.