WE WERE in the middle of nowhere but Chong Lee Siong’s jovial spirit was not in the least ruffled.
The 43-year-old father of two had full confidence that his portable GPS navigation device will save us from vanishing into the unknown.
Chong, an architect by profession, is undoubtedly very proud of this gizmo, a product of his own conceptualising.
The stalwart entrepreneur explained how the device, which he has named the Gophers Tri-O, worked.
“The navigation system will determine your position by comparing the information it receives from the GPS satellites to its road map information.
“Then it will calculate the best route to your destination via transmission signals from satellites.
“You just enter the address of your destination and it will guide you there from your current location. A map of the route will appear on a display screen narrating the next turn on the map and the distance to the next turn,” said Chong.
And just as he had assured, Chong did some twiddling on the device’s touch screen and lo and behold, the “middle of nowhere” turned out to be Jalan BK 1/11, Bandar Kinrara Industrial Park, Puchong.
Safe in the knowledge that civilisation is but a few kilometres away, Chong relaxed.
On retrospect, couldn’t we have just stopped and asked for directions?
“Men never ask for directions. It’s a guy thing. Well, we try not to unless we are very lost. Most of the time, as long as there is petrol in the tank and a road in front of us, we’ll just go,” exclaimed Chong, who was obviously poking fun at the male ego.
But then he is not here to expound on gender issues.
Running an architecture practice and coming up with his own brand of navigation devices leaves him little time to mull over petty stuff.
So far, it has been an exciting year. The idea of the Gophers Tri-O had come about in June 2007.
By October, he had set up Gophers Technologies, and all this had been done at the same time as his architecture practice continued in full swing.
“I am on the road a lot due to my work. Sometimes, the sites are located at off-beaten paths or in jungles ... so the Gophers Tri-O was a tool and instrument I needed.
“Road maps were bulky and often, more for the tourist market. As for road signs, well, they cannot always be relied upon,” said Chong on why he had ventured into making his own navigation tools.
Coming up with the navigation device may also be due to the influence of Malsingmaps, a community of GPS navigation users and enthusiasts, where Chong had been a casual observer of their activities two years ago.
The main goal of the web community focuses on updating and maintaining the most up-to-date and accurate GPS maps in Malaysia and Singapore so that this information can be shared among fellow enthusiasts.
“Having my own navigation tool was my own form of self-indulgence. As an architect, my job involves the creation of space.
“Gophers was a way for me to fulfil the need to create my own navigation tool. I suppose that once the turmoil is over and when I can sit back and compare the first sketch and the latest model, I will feel very good.
“At the end of the day, it is the creative spirit that drives me,” he said.
And Chong also did not hide the fact that the starting of Gophers may be a self-test on his own capabilities.
“I am not doing it because I can but to see if I can,” he said, hinting at his daredevil nature.
And in dealing with the diverse needs of running two companies, Chong has chosen not to look at it as a case of “one boatman astride two canoes”.
“Rather I see it as one canoe with different compartments or cargoes. Just like every project has its own life, problems and goals, Gophers will be seen as a different project in my life too,” he said.
Chong reckons he has adopted a philosophical way of dealing with a demanding practice and the starting up of a new business.
“If I have a river to cross, then I will find a way to do so and that is only if I want to cross it. I don’t believe in fighting head on with problems.
“I am the type who believes that when something happens, one should stand back, take a deep breath and take stock of the situation.
“Some things warrant attention and some don’t. Sometimes you have to take a clinical approach and turn on the machine rather than let emotions take over,” was his advice to those who are thinking of taking the same path.
And though Chong hinted that the going has not been easy, he has found a pragmatic way of looking at it.
“Good that it is not easy,” he grinned mischievously, “or else everybody will be doing it!”
But on a serious note, this merry character believs that there is some truth in the saying, “No pain, no gain”.
“You shouldn’t stop yourself from doing something for fear that the task will be too difficult or that it will tire you.
“That will only serve to limit your capabilities.
“By all means, go out and explore and have an adventure, provided that you take the necessary precautions.
“All this will contribute to a richer life experience,” concluded Chong.
To check out the Gophers Tri-O, call 03- 8070 6130.
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