From PhD to Global Impact
Dr. Cheng-Huan Zhong (Bamboo) reflects on 10 years of innovation, leadership, and impact at Inductosense in this exclusive interview.
What would be your advice to someone starting their education in engineering/PhD?
Be curious, persistent, and enjoy the journey. A PhD is more about learning how to solve problems than knowing all the answers. Don’t be afraid to fail, it’s part of the process. Choose a topic that excites you, and sometimes you’ll need imagination to make breakthroughs.
During your PhD, was there a defining moment early on when you realised you were on to something?
Yes, early in my PhD, I managed to get a reliable signal on the oscilloscope from a sensor with a hand-wound coil. That moment shifted the work from theory to something tangible, and I knew then that we had the foundation for a technically viable solution.
Which product or initiative do you feel had the biggest impact?
Combining the WAND (Wireless and Non Destructive) system with robotics really pushed the boundaries of what passive and wireless solutions can do. It opened the door to autonomous inspection and extended the possibilities of robotic inspections.
How have you approached building and retaining a strong tech team?
We grow together as a team, united by a shared vision of innovation and integrity. We share lessons learned, push the limits of technology and individual capability, and create an environment that values ownership, purpose, and the flow of ideas. We encourage experimentation, value technical depth, embrace challenges, and promote collaboration both internally and externally.
Receiving the King’s Award for Innovation in 2025 was a significant milestone. What does this recognition mean to you and the team?
As companies grow, engineering and innovation can sometimes take a back seat. It has been a challenge to maintain our innovation at Inductosense pace over the past 10 years. This recognition is a reflection of what we’ve accomplished, past, present, and what we aim for in the future. It validates the tremendous efforts we put into our product, our vision and the direction we’re taking with our products.
“I’m proud of building a company from a university lab idea into a global technology business, supported by a team I truly respect. Seeing our sensors deployed globally and delivering real value to end users, is incredibly rewarding.”
With thousands of sensors deployed worldwide, can you share insights into the impact your technology has had on clients' operations?
Our technology has significantly improved inspection efficiency and reduced costs, while also enhancing safety. It supports clients in transitioning toward predictive maintenance, unmanned facilities, and asset digitalisation. Reliable, accurate, and repeatable ultrasonic data is no longer expensive or inaccessible, it’s increasingly influencing critical decisions about structural integrity and inspection strategies.
What leadership lessons have you learned over the last 10 years?
Trust your team but don’t hesitate to challenge them. The best outcomes often come from healthy, productive discussions. Don’t shy away from tough decisions. Embrace failure, but correct course quickly. Empathy and clear communication are key. Innovation isn’t just technical, it’s cultural. Be on the frontline when possible, to have a first hand information on the market demand and client feedbacks. A resilient and aligned team is what makes long-term success achievable.
What are you most proud of achieving in the past decade?
Building a company from a university lab idea into a global technology business, supported by a team I truly respect. Having original employees still with us and growing with the company, and seeing our sensors deployed globally and delivering real value to end users, is incredibly rewarding.
Where do you see the company 10 years from now?
We are moving into the era of robotics and artificial intelligence. Innovation at Inductosense will play a key role in this transformation. With the structural integrity insights we’ve gained over the past decade and the growing capabilities of AI, we aim to provide clients with advanced data-driven insights for asset integrity management. Our technology will help accelerate the adoption of robotic inspection solutions across industries.
