Q&A – Alumn redefines virtual travel
Meet Sean Mascarenhas, an AUT alumnus who is using virtual technology to change how we see travel.
With a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from AUT, Sean has embarked on a trailblazing career journey. From his early days in tech startups to serving as a product manager at artificial intelligence (AI)-based company Straker, Sean continues to push boundaries and embrace his creative spirit.
When the 2020 COVID lockdown disrupted travel plans, Sean saw an opportunity to redefine how we see the world using virtual reality technology, leading to the co-founding of Sky Motion, alongside Soraya Sarwary.
Sky Motion provides immersive travel experiences to destinations around the world, minimising barriers of distance and budget.
Find out more about the AUT alumnus behind New Zealand’s newest virtual travel innovation.
Q: Tell us about your business, Sky Motion, and what inspired you to start it?
A: What initially drove me was a desire to be creative. Working for other organisations allows you to exercise your creativity by developing solutions that meet their needs. However, working for yourself opens the door to creating a sector you are passionate about.
During the development of Sky Motion, we encountered numerous individuals, including the elderly, who were unable to travel due to economic or health constraints but still passionately yearned to experience the world. Our technology has allowed them to virtually visit destinations, even bringing tears to their eyes as they 're-visited' a place they had travelled to in their youth.
Q: What inspired your chosen path and how did you navigate the challenges along the way?
A: Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown, I founded Sky Motion as a platform to channel my creativity and pursue my passion for drone technology and cinematography. This venture not only fulfilled my entrepreneurial aspirations but also allowed me to travel globally, creating premium virtual reality (VR) travel experiences.
There have certainly been challenges from both technological and business perspectives. With VR being relatively new, we've faced difficulties in developing proper workflows. From a business standpoint, it has been both challenging and rewarding to learn the entire customer journey—from marketing and sales to project management, tech development, and delivery of VR experiences.
Q: What has your engagement and involvement with the community been like?
A: The New Zealand tourism community is still acquainting itself with VR technology and its significant potential to attract visitors.
We've had the honour of being keynote speakers at the Tourism Summit Aotearoa, where we demonstrated to small business owners the power of leveraging immersive VR content in their marketing strategies to offer prospective travellers a firsthand preview of their offerings.
It was immensely gratifying to share our deep but niche knowledge with the broader tourism community in Aotearoa, showing them how to create their own VR experiences and thereby opening new opportunities for small tourism operators.
Q: Tell us about your career journey after graduating. What steps and pivotal moments shaped your journey to where you are today?
A: I started with Spark New Zealand during the final year of my engineering degree, making significant contributions to the nationwide deployment of the 4G LTE mobile network. From there, I embraced the deep-tech startup environment at Dotterel Technologies, where I played a crucial role in the development of drone technology and high-end electronic products for almost five years. Our esteemed clientele included Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, and public safety organisations like the New Zealand and Australian police.
The next step in my journey was joining Straker as a product manager, enabling me to focus on creating impactful AI-driven software solutions. Currently, my team and I are collaborating with IBM Japan on an exciting fintech software platform. This platform harnesses AI to streamline financial investment reporting for listed companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Q: Aside from your career and business endeavours, what are some of your general life interests? How do you successfully balance your personal passions with your professional life, and what role do they play in your overall happiness and success?
A: I lead an active lifestyle, often stepping away from the desk to explore the natural world with my family. Additionally, I have a passion for piloting FPV drones. This is why Sky Motion resonated with me — it seamlessly blends my love for the outdoors, travel and drone technology/cinematography, making it feel less like work and more like a fulfilling endeavour.
My advice is simple: pursue what genuinely fulfils you. When you find something that brings you true joy, you will naturally strive to excel in it. Waking up eager to do what you love every day is the key to true happiness and success.