Viam Partners with NYC FIRST to Enhance Robotics Education for Over 12,000 Students

Viam Expands Its Partnership with NYC FIRST

In a significant move to enhance robotics education, Viam, a prominent software platform specializing in robotics and automation solutions, is broadening its partnership with NYC FIRST. This nonprofit organization is committed to delivering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to students across the bustling city of New York. Through a series of interactive workshops, this collaboration aims to empower over 12,000 students with essential technical skills and hands-on experience in robotics.

Workshop Insights

On October 15, educators from the NYC FIRST network participated in an engaging onsite hackathon workshop hosted by Viam. The event was designed specifically to train nearly 20 NYC FIRST educators in the latest robotics technologies. Attendees had the opportunity to experiment with robotic arms, learning to use software that controlled physical movements to complete tasks, such as manipulating and stacking objects. This practical demonstration highlighted how easily robotics concepts can be brought to life using Viam’s user-friendly platform.

Shannon Bradshaw, Senior Vice President of Product and Education at Viam, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, _"Robotics is often perceived as a field that requires specialized technical skills right from the start. However, Viam is committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring that its platform is accessible to all students, equipping the next generation with the tools needed to thrive in robotics._"

Bridging the Education Gap

The collaboration occurs at a time when advancements in robotics and physical AI open new doors for students from diverse backgrounds. Traditionally, entering the field of robotics required access to specialized hardware and advanced technical knowledge, but Viam and NYC FIRST both believe in making robotics education approachable and hands-on.

Michael Zigman, CEO of NYC FIRST, remarked, _"Thanks to our STEM Center network, we have significantly expanded the availability of hands-on STEM resources to a wide array of young New Yorkers. The partnership with Viam brings a highly scalable and easy-to-understand robotics platform to our community of students and educators._"

For over 25 years, NYC FIRST has worked tirelessly to advance STEM education in New York City through robotics competitions, dedicated STEM Centers, and diverse educational programs. These initiatives enable students from all five boroughs to cultivate essential technical skills while also nurturing creativity and problem-solving abilities that are critical in today’s rapidly evolving job market.

Viam’s Educational Mission

Viam continues to maintain a software-centric focus on robotics. Earlier this year, the company introduced Viam Education, an initiative aimed at making robotics more accessible for engineers and developers, irrespective of their experience levels. The program includes a variety of resources, such as self-paced online courses, live events, hackathons, and unique opportunities to learn from industry experts. The introductory course, Viam 101, is designed to cover foundational robotics concepts in just 90 minutes, making it easy for participants without prior hardware experience to begin their journey.

About Viam

Founded by MongoDB co-founder and former CTO Eliot Horowitz in 2020, Viam provides developers with the tools needed to create, deploy, and manage robotics applications effectively and safely. Their versatile platform caters to a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, marine, climate tech, logistics, and entertainment. Viam's headquarters is located in New York City, where the company's robotics lab supports innovation and practical applications in robotics.

About NYC FIRST

For more than two decades, NYC FIRST has empowered tens of thousands of students in New York City, inspiring them to become problem solvers and critical thinkers through engaging STEM learning anchored in robotics. Their STEM ecosystem, which includes eight STEM Centers and varies from robotics leagues to professional development for educators, supports over 12,000 students annually in pursuing their STEM education goals.

Through continued collaboration, Viam and NYC FIRST are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of innovators and providing them with the skills and resources needed to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.