FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and
National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) recently announced they are extending their
technology partnership through 2019 with the shared goal of creating more
scientists and engineers. FIRST engages young people in
exciting mentor-based robotics programs that celebrate science and technology,
inspire innovation, and foster self-confidence and communication skills. NI
provides the real-world engineering tools that power these programs.
This phase of the technology
partnership centers around the creation of a next-generation embedded robotics
control platform code-named “Athena.” Athena is a super-rugged, reconfigurable
controller that, when paired with NI LabVIEW system design software, makes it
possible for FIRST teams to design real systems faster than
ever. Students will use Athena starting in the 2015 season of the FIRST® Robotics
Competition (FRC®).
Starting with Junior FIRST® LEGO® League
(Jr.FLL®), which is the entry-level program in a Progression
of Programs at FIRSTfor youths ages 6 to 18,
students use tools powered by LabVIEW to intuitively learn embedded control and
robotics programming concepts. As students advance through these four robotics
programs, access to tools that scale with each skill level is essential to
their success. Athena, which is programmable with LabVIEW, gives high school
students experience with the same tools they will use throughout college and in
their science and engineering careers.
“We’re excited to extend our technology
partnership with FIRST to continue pursuing the shared goal of
creating more scientists and engineers,” said Ray Almgren, vice president of
corporate marketing at National Instruments. “We believe the combination of
LabVIEW and this next-generation controller will continue making programming
more accessible to all students.”
Through a donation from NI, FIRST will
provide these next-generation robotics systems to participating teams starting
in 2015. This donation provides hardware for all existing and “rookie” FRC
teams over a five-year period. NI also currently provides LabVIEW software to
all FRC teams. Students in FIRST will use the same hardware
and software platform professional engineers currently use to create
applications in virtually every industry, from testing smartphones to launching
spaceships.
“Support from partners like National
Instruments is helping FIRST provide hands-on learning
experiences that mirror what students will do in their future careers,” said
Steve Chism, vice president of programs at FIRST. “We’re creating a
generation of scientists and engineers ready to confidently take on the
challenges facing our world.”
Visit www.usfirst.org for
more information on all FIRST programs.
Visit http://poweredby.labview.com/ to
learn about more innovative LabVIEW applications.
About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. Over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies support FIRST. FIRST offers more than $16 million in college scholarships, and hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League(Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. Over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies support FIRST. FIRST offers more than $16 million in college scholarships, and hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League(Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
About National Instruments
Since 1976, National Instruments
(www.ni.com) has equipped engineers and scientists with tools that accelerate
productivity, innovation and discovery. NI’s graphical system design approach
to engineering provides an integrated software and hardware platform that
speeds the development of any system needing measurement and control. The
company’s long-term vision and focus on improving society through its
technology supports the success of its customers, employees, suppliers and
shareholders.