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Viam Education: A New Era for Robotics Development

In a significant move to democratize robotics development, Viam, a pioneering software platform specializing in robotics and automation, recently launched Viam Education. This initiative offers a robust suite of free educational resources tailored specifically for developers eager to enhance their skills and creativity in robotics.

Led by Shannon Bradshaw, the Senior Vice President of Product and Education, Viam Education is designed to empower engineers by taking a hands-on approach to learning. The program kicks off with its inaugural course, Viam 101, which serves as an entry point for individuals ranging from complete novices in hardware to seasoned professionals looking to deploy robotics in commercial environments.

What is Viam 101?

Viam 101 is a self-paced online course that lays the groundwork for building both robots and physical AI applications. In a concise 90-minute format, participants will be introduced to three essential concepts that form the backbone of robotics programming: modeling physical spaces in software, enabling a robotic arm to navigate and avoid obstacles, and performing useful actions. At the conclusion of the course, students will have created a functioning robotics application through simulation, setting the stage for them to construct their very own robots.

In anticipation of the program's launch, over 800 developers have already signed up, indicating a strong interest in expanding their robotics expertise.

A Shift in Robotics Expertise

Historically, building robots necessitated a deep understanding of hardware intricacies, a barrier that discouraged many aspiring developers. However, Viam's innovation is reshaping this narrative. According to Shannon Bradshaw, "Today, any software engineer can build sophisticated robotics applications with the right tools. Viam Education helps developers get there fast, giving them the practical skills to build real-world robotics applications."

Viam operates on the premise that software engineers are best served by a platform that accommodates their existing workflows. The Viam platform boasts a comprehensive array of hardware controllers and services designed to simplify complex tasks such as motion planning, computer vision, and data management. With clean and consistent APIs, developers can craft control logic using popular programming languages like Python, Go, TypeScript/JavaScript, or C++, effectively eliminating the need to interact with lower-level systems. This code uniformity ensures that what works in simulation seamlessly translates to real hardware.

Building a Community of Innovators

Viam Education is not just about courses and tutorials; it fosters a vibrant community where developers can collaborate and experiment. The program will include live events, hackathons, and mentorship opportunities, allowing participants to learn directly from Viam's engineering team and industry partners. Upcoming events feature hackathons where attendees can engage in collaborative projects, enhancing their skills while networking with fellow innovators.

Some highlights on the event calendar include:

• - Hello, Robot! 1-Day Hackathon hosted by Viam and SPC
• - Robot Brunch Hackathon in collaboration with UFactory
• - Newlab Chess Night that promises a unique blend of robotics and strategy games.

In addition to the educational content, developers registering for Viam 101 before July 31 will have a chance to win a UFactory Lite 6 robotic arm, valued at $3,500, further incentivizing participation and hands-on learning.

About Viam

Founded in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, a co-founder and former CTO of MongoDB, Viam emerges from a passion for making robotics accessible for everyone—ranging from independent engineers to large-scale enterprises. With a headquarters and robotics lab situated in New York City, Viam continues its mission to bridge the gap between innovative technology and practical application in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, entertainment, and beyond.

To explore the offerings of Viam Education and to sign up for Viam 101, developers can visit viam.com/viam-101 and embark on their journey into the world of robotics.