Prospective Customers Test Drive Dean Kamen’s Segway Human Transporter

INSPIRING TOMORROW’S INVENTORS TODAY

You may have already heard of Dean Kamen’s Segway Human Transporter (shown above), the two-wheeled gyro-stabilized wonder designed to increase individual mobility. But have you heard of his earlier creation called FIRST?

FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics competition for high school students that is intended to transform education rather than transportation. Teams from different high schools compete against each other by creating robots designed to perform specific tasks. The competition combines high technology and teamwork to make high tech education exciting.

Kamen started this competition in the 1980s to encourage kids to enjoy learning science and engineering. Beginning with several dozen schools, the competition has grown to over 700 schools. In 2002 there were 23 US cities involved, six more than the previous year, and the competition is still growing. The contest is not limited to the United States as it also has competitors in Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

CHANGING THE CULTURE

FIRST does not intend to deal with the curriculum side of school, a job Kamen would rather leave to government. He explains, “It’s really not an issue of another education center or operation. People in the government side of things tend to see things as more, more, more or as a supply issue. More textbooks, teachers, and schools instead of creating more demand for these things. Create the demand. Why are kids not going into engineering? It’s a free country and kids will do what they want. The culture gets what it celebrates, and often that is not where the kids should be at.”

THE NBA OF INVENTING

Speculating on how US culture might be changed, Kamen asks, “Why can’t we build an organization that does for inventing what the NBA does for basketball?” He points out that many underprivileged kids “cannot name an inventor, but can name many athletes, singers, or entertainers. Many see becoming an entertainer, singer, or athlete as the only option to low wage jobs. It’s either the NBA or flipping burgers. Winning the state lottery is more likely than becoming an NBA star. Show them (kids) the NBA of learning and not the kids playing in the back yard. They need to see young adults who are excited about engineering and science. If they see them, then the kids will see engineering and science as accessible.” For over a decade FIRST has been making this dream come true.

GET INVOLVED

If you are a “techo” already out of high school and don’t want to miss out on the competition, don’t worry—FIRST is not just for students. Engineering mentors are also involved in the contest. Many of these volunteers find the competition helpful in building better teamwork and technical skills that they can use on the job. Private and public companies that sponsor FIRST benefit in the short term by letting their engineers have fun and in the long run by growing the engineers they will need in the future. “The students, companies, and country win,” says Kamen.

ADVICE FOR TODAY’S INVENTORS

When asked what advice he would give to inventors of today, Kamen responded,  “There is no easy road to change. People don’t like change. People are skeptical. People often present the thought that if the invention wasn’t there before, why do they need it. Inventors need self-confidence and tenacity.”

A drawing from Dean Kamen’s “Segway” Patent – US 6779621

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

When sharing his outlook on the benefits of science and technology in the future, Kamen commented, “Technology creates wealth and a better life. The wheel, fire, and language have all made life better. If we understand and apply technology to solve problems, this will continue.” Through FIRST he hopes to help keep this vision alive.

To find out more information on how to become a sponsor or mentor in Dean Kamen’s FIRST Robotics Competition and the new FIRST LEGO League for kids aged 9-14, visit www.USFirst.org. If you would like to learn more about the Segway and new projects such as the improved Stirling Engine currently under development by Kamen’s company, DEKA Research & Development Corporation, go to www.dekaresearch.com.  Click here to see one of Dean Kamen’s Segway patents US 6779621 (PDF format).

Articles and photos contributed by Planet Patent’s Glen Kotapish. Glen is a writer, patent searcher, and a member of the Inventors Network of the Capital Area (INCA). INCA’s website is www.dcinventors.org. He can be reached at his e-mail, search@planetpatent.com.

Note: This article first appeared on Patent Cafe’s, www.patentcafe.com, online intellectual property magazine Cafezine, www.cafezine.com.

Copyright © 2003 by Glen Kotapish