Dean Kamen’s Background:
Dean Kamen is an accomplished inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for science and technology. He holds over 440 U.S. and foreign patents for innovative medical devices and mobility systems.

Awards and Recognition:
Kamen received the National Medal of Technology in 2000 for advancing medical care worldwide and inspiring America’s interest in science and technology. He was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002 and inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005. Kamen has been a member of the National Academy of Engineering since 1997.

FIRST Organization:
Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989. FIRST aims to motivate young people to engage with science and technology. The organization involves over 300,000 participants aged 6 to 18 from 60 countries. FIRST offers scholarships and programs to encourage careers in science and engineering.

FIRST at ICRA:
FIRST had a presence at ICRA, including a table at the exhibits and demonstrations of their annual competition. ICRA and FIRST co-sponsored the Go Girl Go event, where over 600 girls learned about STEM careers.

Dean Kamen’s Speaking Preferences:
Kamen prefers to speak about his passion for FIRST and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. He is enthusiastic about engaging with audiences and promoting STEM education.

Introduction:
Dean Kamen discusses the difficulty of defining and scheduling innovation and shares his perspective on what makes innovations happen. He highlights the importance of different ways of looking at problems and assembling diverse groups of people to foster innovation.

Stephen Colbert’s Humorous Take on Science and Technology:
Kamen shares a humorous clip from Stephen Colbert’s show, where Colbert demonstrates a lack of understanding and appreciation for science and technology. The clip serves to emphasize the need for more people to embrace and appreciate science and technology.

FIRST Campaign: Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology:
Kamen discusses the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) campaign, which aims to inspire more kids to learn about and pursue careers in science and technology. He mentions that the program teaches kids creativity and emphasizes the importance of building enthusiasm for science and technology among young people.

Concerns about Robot Technology and the Terminator Movie:
Kamen addresses concerns about robot technology and the potential for it to turn against humanity, as depicted in the movie The Terminator. He highlights the importance of considering the ethical and responsible use of technology and the need for humans to maintain control over its development and application.

Innovation: A Complex and Challenging Concept:
Kamen presents a slide of a 2,000-year-old South Pointing Chariot, highlighting the long history of innovation in warfare. He notes that innovation is often driven by the desire to find more effective ways to kill each other and emphasizes the need to redirect innovation toward solving global problems and improving human lives.

The Need for Diverse Perspectives and Collaboration:
Kamen stresses the importance of bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to drive innovation. He emphasizes the value of collaboration between different disciplines and the need to create environments where people can share ideas and work together to solve complex problems.

Conclusion:
Kamen concludes by highlighting the need for more people to understand and appreciate science and technology, and the importance of inspiring young people to pursue careers in these fields. He emphasizes the role of innovation in addressing global challenges and improving human lives.

Innovation Defined:
Innovation involves the intersection of technology with real needs, resulting in practical solutions that are adopted by society. Technology alone is not enough for innovation; it requires the appropriate technology for a specific need that has not been met before. Innovation can arise from new technologies or the intersection of existing technologies.

The South Pointing Chariot:
The South Pointing Chariot was an early mechanical device used for navigation in the desert. It utilized differential gears to measure the rotation of wheels on the sand and adjust the direction of the chariot. This invention predates mechanical adding machines like those developed by Babbage in Europe.

The Compass:
The Chinese discovered the magnetic properties of lodestone and used it to create a compass. The compass allowed for portable direction-finding, making it a more practical solution than the South Pointing Chariot. This example highlights that innovation is not just about technology; it’s about choosing the right technology for a real need.

Innovation at DECA:
Dean Kamen’s presentation focuses on innovation at DECA. The presentation aims to provide examples of how DECA approaches innovation.

Brother’s Medical Need Inspires Insulin Pump Invention:
Dean Kamen’s engineering company’s origins lie in his brother’s need for precision drug delivery systems to treat neonates with cancer. Kamen created battery-operated syringe pumps using microprocessors, initially intended for his brother’s research. The pumps’ potential for broader applications, such as insulin delivery for diabetes, led to the establishment of a multi-billion dollar industry.

Johnson & Johnson’s Stent Challenge:
Johnson & Johnson approached Kamen’s company to improve the flexibility of their cardiovascular stent, a tiny scaffold used to open up coronary arteries. The stent’s limited bending ability hindered its effectiveness in reaching certain areas of the arteries.

Aerospace Engineers’ Expertise in Fatigue and Stress:
Kamen realized that his aerospace engineers, experienced in managing fatigue and stress in aircraft components, could contribute to the stent’s design. Kamen enlisted their help in optimizing the stent’s shape and structure to achieve the desired flexibility and strength.

Alternative Drug Delivery System and FDA Approval:
Kamen referred to his aerospace engineers as the “alternative drug delivery system” team to explain their involvement in the stent project to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The stent’s successful redesign and approval by the FDA marked a significant achievement for Kamen’s company.

Conclusion:
Kamen’s narrative highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the value of applying expertise from one field to solve challenges in another. The successful development of the stent demonstrates the impact of leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise to drive innovation in medical technologies.

Innovation and Cross-Collaboration:
Kamen emphasizes the importance of seeking innovative solutions from diverse fields and perspectives, breaking away from conventional approaches to drive meaningful progress.

Patient-Centered Design:
Kamen describes his team’s mission to develop a dialysis machine that allows patients to perform dialysis at home, providing dignity and convenience while improving their quality of life.

Challenging the Status Quo:
Kamen highlights the need to push boundaries and challenge existing norms, even if it means facing skepticism or being labeled as “nuts.”

Advanced Prosthetic Arm Development:
Kamen discusses the collaboration with the Department of Defense and DARPA to create a highly functional prosthetic arm for soldiers who have lost limbs in combat.

Ambitious Design Goals:
The prosthetic arm project aims to provide users with fine motor control, haptic response, and efferent and efferent nerves, enabling them to perform complex tasks.

Direct Brain Control:
Kamen considers the possibility of direct brain control for prosthetic limbs but acknowledges the ethical and practical challenges involved.

User-Friendly Control Interface:
Instead of direct brain control, Kamen’s team opts for a universal control input, allowing users to control the prosthetic arm through sensors and controllers attached to their remaining limbs.

Leveraging Existing Technology:
Kamen describes the integration of gyros, accelerometers, and Bluetooth radios from their previous projects into the prosthetic arm’s control system.

One-to-One Mapping:
Users learn to control the prosthetic arm through a one-to-one mapping, similar to using a mouse to navigate a computer screen.

Dean Kamen’s Contributions to Medical Technology:
Developed an advanced robotic arm with 14 active degrees of freedom, integrated batteries, and user-friendly controls. The robotic arm enabled individuals with disabilities, like Chuck, to perform everyday tasks independently, such as eating and picking up objects. Kamen’s team further refined the robotic arm, making it faster, stronger, self-contained, and waterproof, with approximately 30 units deployed to soldiers.

iBot and the Segway:
Kamen created the iBot, a self-balancing mobility device that assists individuals with disabilities in navigating various terrains. The Segway, initially perceived as a consumer product, originated from Kamen’s medical device expertise, utilizing balancing algorithms and redundancy for safety.

Innovation and Problem-Solving:
Kamen emphasizes the importance of finding the right technology and addressing critical problems through innovation. He criticizes the tendency of technology enthusiasts to focus solely on entertainment and urges them to apply their skills to solve global issues.

Portable Water Distiller:
Kamen developed a portable water distiller that can produce 1,000 liters of clean water per day, utilizing a vapor compression process without filters, membranes, or chemicals. The device operates efficiently, using minimal electricity comparable to a handheld hairdryer, and can serve up to 100 people per unit.

Challenges in Accessibility:
The challenge lies in distributing the water distiller to remote and underserved regions where people lack access to clean water and electricity. Kamen highlights the need for infrastructure and global reach to deliver these devices effectively to the communities that need them the most.

The Power of Collaboration:
Dean Kamen sought a partnership with Coca-Cola to leverage their global logistics infrastructure for his water purification technology. Coca-Cola agreed to help Kamen with the water technology rollout if he could exceed their expectations with their beverage vending machine.

The Birth of the Red Machine:
Kamen’s team developed a vending machine with multiple beverage options for Coca-Cola, exceeding their expectations. The chairman of Coca-Cola requested a red color for the machine, and it was showcased at the Olympics.

Trials and Expansion:
Over a hundred machines were built and tested in various countries, producing hundreds of thousands of liters of water. Kamen collaborated with a Seattle-based individual interested in global health to further expand the water technology trials.

Electric Generation:
Kamen’s team extracted the electric generation component from the water purification machine and partnered with a major energy company to trial it as a potential base power source worldwide.

Innovation:
Kamen emphasizes the importance of passionate people willing to take risks and borrow ideas from unfamiliar industries.

The South Pointing Chariot:
Kamen’s team presented him with a symbolic gift: a radio-controlled car pulling a model of a south pointing chariot. This gift served as a reminder that technology should be used to solve real problems, not merely for its own sake.

FIRST and Education:
Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) over 25 years ago. He believes inventors look at problems differently and emphasizes the need for smart, creative, and passionate people to address important issues.

The Crisis of Education:
There is a decline in students pursuing math, physics, and engineering studies due to a societal shift that prioritizes sports and entertainment over STEM fields.

The Role of Culture:
Kamen argues that the culture of idolizing sports and entertainment figures has overshadowed the recognition of scientists and engineers. This cultural emphasis leads to a lack of passion and motivation among kids toward STEM subjects.

The Need for Superstars:
Kamen emphasizes the importance of creating superstars in science and engineering to inspire kids and make STEM fields more appealing. These role models can ignite passion and encourage kids to develop their intellectual capabilities.

Engaging Kids through Sports:
Kamen proposes transforming science and engineering into a sport-like activity to capture kids’ attention and enthusiasm. This approach involves creating a competitive environment with short, intense seasons, aspirationally pursued after school, and culminating in exciting tournaments.

The FIRST Robotics Competition:
Kamen founded the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition to address the cultural gap in STEM education. FIRST provides kids with a platform to engage in science and technology through hands-on, competitive robotics challenges.

Growth and Impact:
The FIRST Robotics Competition has experienced exponential growth, attracting teams from schools and countries worldwide. The program has secured support from universities, offering scholarships to participants, and involves thousands of volunteer mentors.

Conclusion:
Dean Kamen’s efforts to transform STEM education through FIRST Robotics have successfully created a global community of young innovators and sparked a passion for science and technology among kids.

Kamen’s Passion for FIRST:
Dean Kamen highlights the importance of cultivating the next generation of innovators to drive societal progress. He emphasizes the need for competent, well-trained individuals with vision, passion, courage, and education. Kamen seeks support from corporations to invest in FIRST, recognizing its vital role in shaping the future workforce.

Presidential Recognition of FIRST:
Kamen highlights the significance of presidential support for FIRST. He emphasizes the need to treat technology superstars akin to those in other celebrated fields. Four presidents from both parties have extended invitations to FIRST teams, demonstrating bipartisan support.

FIRST’s Growth and Impact:
Kamen showcases FIRST’s remarkable growth over the years, with increasing participation and global recognition. He highlights the diversity of FIRST teams, with 30% comprising women and minorities. Kamen mentions South Korea’s impressive FIRST involvement, with 500 teams and a championship win.

Brandeis University Assessment:
Kamen cites an independent assessment by Brandeis University, funded by the Ford Foundation, which found significant positive impacts of FIRST. The assessment revealed a four-fold increase in engineering involvement among girls and a two-fold increase among boys.

Continued Presidential Support:
Kamen emphasizes the ongoing presidential support for FIRST, with the fourth president also hosting FIRST teams at the White House.

FIRST: The Super Bowl of Smarts:
Kamen presents a video showcasing FIRST as the “Super Bowl of smarts.” The video emphasizes the transformative nature of FIRST, fostering teamwork, creativity, and a passion for science and technology. FIRST mentors are praised for their dedication in inspiring and guiding young people, shaping their lives and instilling confidence and self-respect.

FIRST Robotics:
Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to inspire kids to pursue science and engineering careers. FIRST organizes robotics competitions for students from kindergarten to high school. These competitions challenge students to design, build, and program robots to perform specific tasks.

Benefits of FIRST:
Students who participate in FIRST are more likely to attend college and major in science or engineering. FIRST helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. FIRST exposes students to the excitement of science and engineering and shows them that these fields can be fun and rewarding.

The Importance of Role Models:
Dean Kamen believes that kids need to see role models in science and engineering to be inspired to pursue these fields. He compares the influence of sports heroes and movie stars to the potential influence of scientists and engineers. Kamen believes that scientists and engineers should be celebrated and recognized for their contributions to society.

The Power of Music and Entertainment:
Kamen recognizes the power of music and entertainment to reach kids and influence their attitudes and behaviors. He has partnered with celebrities like Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas to help promote FIRST and spread the message about the importance of science and engineering. Kamen believes that music and entertainment can make science and engineering cool and appealing to kids.

FIRST is a Movement, Not a Science Fair:
Kamen emphasizes that FIRST is more than just a robotics competition; it is a movement to change the culture around science and engineering. He wants FIRST to inspire a generation of kids to pursue careers in these fields and to use their knowledge and skills to solve the world’s problems.

Dean Kamen calls Will.i.am about his song:
Dean Kamen called Will.i.am to discuss a video they made using Will.i.am’s interview and song. Most of the song was suitable, but Kamen felt a few verses needed improvement.

Kamen’s feedback to Will.i.am:
Kamen praised the song as “pretty good” but mentioned that he and his team don’t typically listen to the radio. Kamen suggested Will.i.am re-record his number one song from the previous year with revised lyrics to fit their video.

Will.i.am’s response:
Will.i.am agreed to Kamen’s request and re-recorded his song with modified lyrics specifically for the video.

Revised lyrics and their significance:
The revised lyrics emphasized the potential for children to become engineers, scientists, leaders, and world changers. The song aimed to inspire children and highlight their ability to make a positive impact on the world.

Keynote Speech Highlights:
The FIRST Robotics Competition (FIRST) is unique in its ability to bring people together through creativity, passion, and a sense of community. FIRST is more than just a science fair; it is a cultural event that celebrates the achievements of young people and inspires them to pursue careers in STEM fields. The world is in dire need of capable, responsible, and passionate technologists. Adults, particularly those with technical skills and a willingness to mentor, play a crucial role in encouraging and guiding young people towards STEM careers. Politicians and lawyers alone cannot solve the world’s problems; it requires the involvement of skilled individuals who are passionate about making a difference. FIRST provides an opportunity for every kid to explore their potential and discover their passion for STEM.

Questions and Answers:
What’s the next invention? (Question to Dean Kamen) Dean Kamen: It’s unknown at this point, but he and his team continue to work on solving some of the world’s biggest problems, such as energy, water, and medical issues. How to attract the new generation of kids who grew up playing computer games to FIRST? (Question to Dean Kamen) Dean Kamen: Kids need guidance and advice to help them understand what’s truly important and meaningful. He believes that kids don’t inherently choose mindless games; they often play them because they’re easily accessible and offer quick rewards. Solving real-world problems takes time, effort, and dedication, and it’s not always the most obvious or appealing choice for kids or companies. How to get kids to use their time on technologies that matter? (Question to Dean Kamen) Dean Kamen: It’s essential to have individuals like professors, teachers, engineers, and mentors who are willing to inspire and guide kids towards developing the right skill sets and passions. By showing kids that they can be part of a small group that makes a positive impact on the world, we can encourage them to pursue STEM careers and work on technologies that address real-world challenges.