ATS sponsors FIRST robotics competition

Waterloo, ON – ATS Automation Tooling Systems has donated $50,000 in support of the FIRST Waterloo Regional student robotics competition which will be hosted by the University of Waterloo, March 24-26.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week time frame using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions designed by FIRST founders Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers.

“Canada needs to position itself as a technology leader. In order to meet this goal we must generate excitement in the minds of our young people about careers in science and technology,” says Mike Cybulski, vice president of automation systems operations, Eastern USA and Canada. “FIRST Robotics provides a unique opportunity for young people to gain exposure to a career in engineering. Also, in order to be successful each team must collaborate at a very high level, this aspect of the competition is as important as the technical side.”

The competition has grown to more than 900 teams competing in 30 regional events and culminates in the championship event which is held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with over 7,000 student participants.