URIs_MOMENTUM_Research_and_Innovation_Magazine_Spring_2026_M

“I want to focus on somethingthatcan help vulnerable people.”

- Chan Young Koh

manufacturer, International Precision Assemblies, with factories in the Philippines that were able to turn it into a product. “The RISE-UP classes have been phenomenal,” Johnson says. “They’ve taught me how to write a pitch, understand legal aspects and taxes, figure out a go-to-market strategy— everything somebody without a business degree would need to start a business.” In 2023, Johnson received a boost when he won the $100,000 prize from Rhode Island Business Competition for his company, Nhuad Controllers, named in homage to a one-armed Celtic warrior, allowing him to start production. So far, he’s sold several hundred controllers at a price of $199. He’s now hoping to find an investor who can help him take the product to scale, putting in an order of 1,000 controllers or more to help bring the cost down. In addition to video games, he would like to find alternative uses for the technology and has proposed using the controller for everything from piloting drones to controlling home electronics and lighting systems. Johnson has also spoken with another

Koh and colleague testing prototype.

company about using the controller to pilot undersea robots, and occupational therapy nonprofit Respawn, which is exploring bringing it into hospitals. While all of these uses are enticing, Johnson says the most satisfying part of creating the company has been receiving joyful messages from users all over the world who are able to play their favorite games. “I’ve heard from a woman from Australia whose son is about to have his arm amputated, and a gentleman from Canada who has cancer and can’t wait to play video games,” Johnson says. “Stories like that,” he says, “definitely hit close to home.”

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