Cheng, Marita (1989-…), is an Australian engineer and entrepreneur (business developer). Cheng has founded several companies. Some of them create machines. Others promote STEM education , particularly among girls. STEM stands for _s_cience, _t_echnology, _e_ngineering, and _m_athematics.
Cheng was born on March 5, 1989, in Cairns, in northern Queensland . Her parents were Chinese immigrants. She graduated from high school in 2006. She went on to the University of Melbourne . There, she studied computer science and mechatronics, a field that combines electronics and mechanical engineering. In 2008, while still a student, Cheng founded Robogals Global. This program teaches girls about engineering.
In 2013, Cheng founded 2Mar Robotics, later renamed Aubot. The company’s main product is a telepresence robot named Teleport. A telepresence robot gives the user the experience of being at a distant place. It basically works like a mobile video chat, with a screen, speakers, camera, and microphone mounted on a moving platform. Teleport enables hospitalized children to attend school, or elderly people to socialize with distant relatives, for example.
Cheng has received several awards for her work. In 2012, she was named Young Australian of the Year. Australian of the Year Awards honor Australian citizens who have made inspiring contributions to the community. In 2019, Chen became the youngest member of the Order of Australia . The order is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or humanity.
