Kobe Bryant's Bizzare Connection to the Future of Robotics

Kobe Bryant's Bizzare Connection to the Future of Robotics

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics was founded in 1989 with the mission to inspire young people in STEM fields and today provides a mentor-led program that promotes competition, creativity and teamwork.

This week, Automation Distribution representatives introduced collaborative robots to the FIRST Robotics team at Lower Merion High School, Kobe Bryant’s alma mater. The team participates in complex competitions each year, which require the time commitment of a full-time job.

Sales manager Art McEvoy guides Lower Merion High School FIRST Robotics students 

in programming the Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robot.

The world-wide competitions challenge not only their technical skills but also their ability to think outside the box as a team. FIRST promotes what they call “coopertition,” or the concept that teams can compete but also learn from each other.



FIRST Robotics students explain their latest project to Automation Distribution President Sam Hostvedt.


Each team has six weeks to complete their project for entry into local, regional, and worldwide competition. Students rotate between tasks to experience all aspects of the project from CAD drawing, to programming and mechanical engineering. 



Students gather around to take turns using the teach pendant.

Come see what the excitement is all about at our next collaborative robot happy hour event on November 30.  Register today.

Oct 27th 2017

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