Autodesk and FIRST Provide Competitive Robotics to the Masses With the FIRST Vex Challenge

    SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
 (Nasdaq:   ADSK) is partnering with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of
 Science and Technology) to provide real-world experience and support to an
 expanded pool of next generation engineers with the FIRST Vex Challenge
 (FVC), a robotics competition for high-school-aged students. The
 complementary program brings the spirit and values of the FIRST Robotics
 Competition (FRC) to a greater number of students and schools of varying
 resources, opening the doors of opportunity to explore careers in science,
 math and technology. More than 5,000 high-school-aged students on 500 teams
 have competed in more than 25 FVC tournaments from November, 2006 through
 March, 2007. One hundred teams will participate in the FIRST Championship
 April 12-14, 2007, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )
     The FVC program offers students the ability to get involved in a
 robotics challenge where the teams test their skills by building robots
 with a kit of pieces called the Vex Robotics Design System. The FVC pieces
 do not require welding or machining, allowing more options in robot design
 and construction. As a result, FVC is more accessible and opens FIRST
 challenges to a much broader scope of student competitors.
     "The ultimate goal of the FIRST Vex Challenge is to reach more young
 people so they can discover the excitement and rewards of science,
 technology and engineering. And now we have the opportunity to impact even
 more students," said Dean Kamen, inventor, entrepreneur and founder of
 FIRST. "Working alongside engineers and other professionals, students
 experience the real-world application of science and math concepts. The
 hands-on problem solving utilized in the FIRST challenges develops valuable
 skills students will need in progressing toward higher education and
 eventually professional careers."
     Each FVC team is comprised of professional mentors and a maximum of 10
 high-school-aged students. The program has a flexible structure that allows
 teams to form within the school or home-school environment, as an
 after-school program, with a neighborhood group or as part of any
 youth-based organization.
     Autodesk will provide various FVC teams with its Autodesk Inventor
 software for use in designing, building and visualizing their projects. In
 addition to designing and building their robots, the teams will be required
 to keep a journal that tracks their progress -- making the process of
 engineering as important as the end product.
     "The FIRST Vex Challenge is a great opportunity for FIRST to expand its
 programs, allowing a much greater number of students to push the boundaries
 of creative engineering," said Paul Mailhot, senior director of Autodesk
 Worldwide Education Programs. "Autodesk is excited to help enable the
 program by giving students access to real-world technology throughout the
 process and allowing them to experience the thrill of seeing their ideas
 come to life."
     Autodesk is sponsoring FVC in addition to its overall $17 million
 software and training contributions to the 2007 FRC. Each year, FRC
 students use a common kit of parts to compete in a unique game. This year's
 game, dubbed "Rack 'N' Roll," calls for the 1,300 participating student
 teams to design robots to hang inflated colored tubes on pegs configured in
 rows and columns on a 10-foot high center "rack" structure. This year, more
 than 32,000 FRC high school students are exploring innovation in
 engineering and 3D design visualization with support from Autodesk. Student
 participants will gain firsthand experience with Autodesk Inventor 3D
 mechanical design software, and award-winning Autodesk 3ds Max 3D modeling,
 animation and rendering 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 and engineering. With the support of
 many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit
 organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Vex Challenge
 for high-school students, the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years
 old, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6- to 9-year-olds. To learn more
 about FIRST, go to http://www.usfirst.org.
     About Autodesk Education
     Autodesk, the world leader in 2D and 3D design software, supports
 academic achievement and lifelong learning by providing educators and
 students the solutions they need to prepare for design careers in the
 manufacturing, construction, and media and entertainment markets. Autodesk
 enables the next generation of engineers, designers and architects to
 experience their ideas before they are real by placing state-of-the-art
 digital prototyping solutions in classrooms throughout the world. Autodesk
 helps institutions invest in the future by offering substantial discounts,
 innovative subscription offerings, grant programs, training, curricula and
 community resources. For more information about Autodesk's education
 programs and solutions, visit http://www.autodesk.com/education.
     About Autodesk
     Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
 manufacturing, construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its
 introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the
 broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to
 help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000
 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze
 real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money,
 enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about
 Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.
     NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, 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. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
 offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not
 responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this
 document.
     Contact: Keith Donovan, Airfoil Public Relations, +248-304-1455
     Email: donovan@airfoilpr.com.
 
 

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.