Ford gives students robotics support

Ford Motor Company Fund has announced a $50,000 grant for FIRST Robotics Community Centre at Kettering University, Flint, Michigan.

The grant is part of the Ford’s ongoing support for innovative programs that promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The grant from the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company will help equip the centre’s machine shop with state-of-the-art tools and technology.

When it opens next month at Kettering’s campus in Flint, Michigan, the FIRST Robotics Community Centre will give high school students from as many as eight FIRST Robotics teams the ability to build remote-controlled robots in a state-of-the-art facility.

“Ford and Ford Motor Company Fund are extremely supportive of programmes like FIRST Robotics that get students excited about careers in science, technology and engineering fields,” said Raj Nair, Ford’s group vice president, global product development.

“Our support for Kettering University’s programmes is also done with a strategic eye on the future needs of our industry,” Nair added. “Over the past year, our support of programs like FIRST, the Society of Automotive Engineers competition teams and power research has helped high school and college students develop varied and well-rounded skill sets. And the cutting-edge research they are conducting will help shape the future of the automotive industry.”

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit US organization founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.

Nair presented the $50,000 grant during a ceremony today at Kettering. With this grant, Ford has provided more than $100,000 in the past year in support of various Kettering University programmes.

The total includes donating a 2013 Ford F-250 truck to Kettering’s SAE competition teams, and giving a Ford Focus Electric to the Advanced Power Electronics Laboratory. By making these donations, Ford is not only promoting its image amongst students but is helping to spread the word across the US of the benefits of robotic technology.