Leader in 3D Donates More Than $8 Million in Software and Resources to Bring Science and Technology to the Forefront of EducationSAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan 09, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Enabling high school
students to push the boundaries of innovation in engineering and 3D design
visualization, Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced the continuation
of its longstanding sponsorship of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition
of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition for 2006. Autodesk has been a
major sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition since 1992, most recently
named as the FIRST Robotics Competition Official Supplier and Official
Championship Sponsor. In this role, Autodesk provides the software students
use to design their robots, demonstrating the company's commitment to helping
the students of today become the engineers of tomorrow.
The contest brings together competing teams of young people and their
mentors to solve complex engineering problems over the initial six week
competition, using a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules. Using
software from Autodesk -- including Autodesk Inventor, the world's
best-selling 3D mechanical design software and best choice for AutoCAD users,
and Autodesk 3ds Max, award-winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering
software -- teams are able to design and build robots, and enter them in a
series of design contests.
One of the largest of its kind, the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition will
include more than 1,000 teams with more than 30,000 participants from the
United States, Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, Ecuador and Israel. The teams
will compete in 33 regional events around the U.S. including New York, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Denver and San Jose. The regional winners will then
compete in the championship, to be held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta from
April 27 through 29. For more information, visit www.usfirst.org.
"Partnering with mentors, developing relationships and working as a team
to achieve a common goal are elements for success both in engineering and
life," said Dean Kamen, inventor, entrepreneur, and founder of FIRST. "It is
the support of companies like Autodesk that allows FIRST to encourage students
to learn about math, science and engineering and inspire the inventors and
engineers of tomorrow."
According to Carl Bass, COO of Autodesk, "We are proud to sponsor the
FIRST Robotics Competition and support the development of the next generation
of scientists and engineers. As the leader in 3D, we are excited about
helping stir the passion and excitement for math and science, and helping
students become educated participants in the innovative world of 3D."
In addition to financial contributions, software grants and training with
the FIRST Robotics Competition, Autodesk sponsors two design contests,
presented at the championship event, awarding students who use Autodesk
software to realize their ideas:
Autodesk Inventor Award
The Autodesk Inventor Award will be presented to the team that best
understands, documents and communicates the distinct phases of the design
process, from concept to production, using Autodesk Inventor software.
Autodesk Visualization Award
The Autodesk Visualization Award recognizes excellence in student
animation that clearly and creatively illustrates the concept of "Ideas
Realized." In competing for this award, the student teams will create a
30-second animation about how the FIRST Robotics Competition has helped them
realize their ideas. Animations must be produced using Autodesk 3ds Max
software.
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of
science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST
designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge,
and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in
science, technology, engineering and math. With the support of many of the
world's most well-known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the FIRST
Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for
children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics
Competition go to www.usfirst.org.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned
into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading
software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure,
digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help
customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more
effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by
becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing
profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For
additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.
NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and 3ds Max are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries.
All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective
holders.
Contact:
Tim O'Keeffe,
415-318-4166
Email: okeeffet@fleishman.com
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
