Matter Stories: Sun-Yen Tan, Software Engineer Intern

Tell us about yourself!

Hi! I’m Sun-Yen, a junior studying computer science at Arizona State University. My journey into the world of 3D Digital Twins began during the COVID-19 pandemic when I bought my first Matterport Pro2 camera at the age of 16. With the increased demand for digital twins, I started offering scanning services to realtors as a side hustle. This side hustle eventually expanded into various industries including museums and hotels. Matterport’s innovative technology sparked my curiosity about software development, especially in the 3D space. This led me to pursue computer science at ASU, and inspired me to intern at Matterport to learn more not only vertically, but horizontally, and I’m excited to be on that path now!

What excites you most about your role?

As a previous Matterport user, I’m excited to contribute to the innovative products that push the industry forward. Because of my first-hand experience with Matterport’s technology, I have a deep appreciation for its potential. There will also be many learning opportunities for me to grab during this internship which further fuels my passion for being part of a team that constantly strives to improve and innovate.

Tell us about your biggest accomplishment or favorite project at Matterport? What was it, were there any challenges, and how was it successful?

In the recent hackathon, me and another intern paired up to develop a working prototype of ‘Matterbot’. It was a chatbot with every model that can answer simple questions realtors usually answer about the space while filtering quality leads. The experience was incredibly rewarding and a great learning experience where we were guided by experienced engineers and helped deepen our understanding of product development. 

Are you involved in any programs such as EMERGE, Matterport Cares, ERGs etc., if so why? What’s been a memorable experience?

A few of the Arizona Matterpeeps and I are organizing a ‘Capture for a Cause’ scan where Matterport will match 2:1 for the number of hours volunteered scanning for our favorite local nonprofit. This is an exciting way we as Matterpeeps can give back to the community with financial support and at the same time, help nonprofits benefit from our technology to improve processes and reduce cost.

Sun-Yen had the opportunity to attend PDEcon, a celebratory gathering for our product, design, and engineering teams, offering a chance to reconnect in person while fostering innovation and collaboration to spark new ideas for the future. Are there any PDEcon experiences you’d want to share?

During PDEcon, we were able to attend insightful tech talks that covered topics such as machine learning, computer vision, and the hardware behind our cameras. These talks definitely sparked conversations that could potentially lead to innovative ideas. A standout moment for me was the chance to have 1-on-1 coffee chats with a few of the Matterport Executive Leadership Team members. Their insights were invaluable and they offered perspectives on industry trends and strategic thinking. Overall, PDEcon was a great learning opportunity.

Do you have a favorite digital twin or a twin that resonates with you? Which is it and why?

‘The Metz’ was the first space I scanned when I bought the Pro2. It was scanned on Aug 29, 2021 and although it doesn't show much other than the apartment, it means a lot to me as it reminds me how far I've come from scanning residential units to larger scale projects. I’ve applied the new defurnish feature.