World Premiere of XRP (Experiential Robotic Platform) at 2022 FIRST Global Challenge Aims to Bring Equity and Excitement to STEM Pipeline | News

World Premiere of XRP (Experiential Robotic Platform) at 2022 FIRST Global Challenge Aims to Bring Equity and Excitement to STEM Pipeline

Affordable New Robotics System Poised to Expand Global Access, Inclusion, and Inspiration in STEM

WHAT: In the hours leading up to the kickoff of the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and DEKA Research &Development Corp. will unveil the XRP (Experiential Robotic Platform). Although still in beta form, this groundbreaking robotics system will be priced to allow more students access to hands-on robotics education, initiatives, and, ultimately, participation in robotics challenges that are critically important, effective, and fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pipeline programs. Each of the 185 competing teams will leave Geneva with a new kit to bring back to their 180 nations along with the challenge of using it (or giving it) to help other students with fewer resources be able to engage in robotics. WPI will then provide virtual support for teachers and students in basic robotics education through online courses, and will guide them through the new system, which gives them the ability to scale up using the same hardware with free software updates.

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. (CEST) Thursday, October 13, 2022    NOTE: 7:30 a.m. (EDT)
 

WHERE: Palexpo; Geneva, Switzerland; Room P (adjoins Halle-3) 
                Rte François-Peyrot 30, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex

NOTE: *High resolution photos and broadcast quality b-roll of the robot kits are also available.

WHY: Longtime partners FIRST Global, WPI, and DEKA share the belief that addressing the world’s great problems will take more people with a diversity of experience(s) and expertise in STEM. Creating, translating, and deploying new scientific insights and technologies to benefit everyone’s physical and mental well-being will depend upon the inclusion of a more diverse population of professionals who can bring different lenses, experiences, questions, and passions to labs and boardroom tables. Both project-based learning and robotics competitions help inspire future changemakers by equipping them with a variety of skills and empowering them to reach their full potential. Providing a low-cost robotics system that comes with built-in educational and software support will help ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in the global STEM pipeline.

WHO:  Brad Miller of WPI Robotics and David Rogers of DEKA Research and Development
            Winston “Wole” Soboyejo, WPI President ad Interim
            FIRST Global teams, teachers, mentors, volunteers, and supporters

Contacts:

Colleen Wamback                                                                  Eileen Brangan Mell                                                 
(M) 508-688-4858                                                                  (M) 774-437-8767
cbwamback@wpi.edu                                                            ebmell@wpi.edu