Past Robotic Events in New York City
2008
Jacob Javits Center
It was the week-end of April 4-6th; as one entered the Jacob Javits Center one could hear the marching band, the action pack description of the commentator, the roar of the crowd in the jam-pack bleaches, and the cheers of school cheerleaders. One’s thoughts would immediately visualize a sporting event, and in fact it was, a sporting event - of the mind. Where science, math, and technology are celebrated and teams of young robotic engineers are cheered for a winning robot. This is FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics – FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition), FTC (FIRST Tech/VEX), FLL (FIRST LEGO League).
 
64 teams competed in the FRC; coming from NYC, Westchester, NJ, LI, and a team from England. For the first time in NYC, in the FTC 49 teams from NYC, Westchester, LI, NJ, Mass. and even Canada competed with VEX robots. In the FLL Expo 50 teams from NYC, Westchester, LI, NJ, and PA competed with the winning team, The Cyberbots, scoring a perfect score of 400.
Among the spectators viewing this spectacular event was Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST and inventor of the HomeChoice-The first portable kidney dialysis machine, first portable insulin pump, Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter (a wheelchair that can climb stairs & rough terrain), and the Segway Human Transporter. Also, NYC’s mayor the Honorable Mayor Bloomberg and NYC DOE’s Chancellor Klein were there to acknowledge FIRST and offer their support to the teams.
 
A special treat was the display of the Princeton Robotic car that competed in the DARPA Grand Challenge this past fall. Team member Gordon Franken explained the features of the car to visitors of the Science and Technology Career Expo.
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Past Years LEGO & VEX Events
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