Robots in Sport & Competition

This event is being done in partnership with the NY Robotics Network...

Join us for an exciting event, co-hosted by the SOLIDWORKS User Group of NYC, where we'll dive into the fascinating world of robots designed for sports & competition.

We have three outstanding organizations presenting — NYC FIRST, will discuss the pivotal role of STEM education programs in shaping future innovators; Huge Battlebot will share their experiences and insights from the competitive robot arena; and the Drone Racing League (part of Infinite Reality), will share the behind the scenes excitement of drone racing. This promises to be a captivating exploration of education, technology, and competition

This event is sponsored by Dassault Systems and TriMech. Over the last decade robot competitions have showcased incredible innovations, with teams using advanced CAD software to develop their creations. This software has revolutionized the way robots are designed, allowing for precision, creativity, and enhanced performance. From robust chassis designs to intricate mechanisms, the use of CAD tools has become essential in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in robotic engineering. **Learn more at Solidworks.com!**
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Agenda:
6:00-6:30 - Meet & Greet / Networking
6:30-6:40 - Introduction & Welcome
6:40-6:55 - Kate Karageorgiou & Talya Stein, NYC First
7:00-7:15 - Jonathan Schultz, Huge Battle Bots
7:20-7:35 - Andrey Katsman, The Infinite Reality / Drone Racing League
7:30-8:00+ - Community Announcements, DEMO’S, Closing Remarks
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Speakers:
Kate Karageorgiou – Chief of Staff, NYC FIRST
Kate joined NYC FIRST in 2023 and currently serves as Chief of Staff. Her journey in education started when she became the fundraising chairperson for her university’s Special Olympics organization, followed by roles as math teacher and team leader, nonprofit leader, and eventually both school and district leader in New York City Public Schools. As a lifelong New Yorker, Kate has a strong passion for ensuring that all young people across NYC can pursue their dreams, and sees high-quality STEM opportunities as a vehicle for doing so. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with the people she loves most, especially her husband and three young children.

Talya Stein – Senior Program Manager, Education & Tech, NYC FIRST
Talya has been at NYC FIRST STEM Center at Cornell Tech for the past seven years. She has been a crucial part of the core crew that established the STEM Centers, transforming educational opportunities for students in New York City. Talya is an educator, designer, fabricator, and artist, with a strong background in graphic design and physical computing. Talya works to create a work space environment where good design is simple, clear, intuitive, and interactive. Passionate about hands-on learning, Talya is a proud member of the maker movement and draws inspiration from diverse sources such as Maker Faire, ITP, and TEDx.
Jonathan Schultz – Huge BattleBots
Jonathan created "HUGE" with a small group of friends for Discovery Channel's BattleBots in 2018 and has since competed in 7 seasons of competition. "HUGE" has received awards for design innovation and for effectiveness, and culminated in a runner-up overall finish in the most recent season. The design is totally unique among the Battlebots field, pioneering the uses of flexible materials and plastics to be as large as physically possible within the weight limits. Jonathan is an R&D engineer who lives in Connecticut, and spends time competing at the National Havoc Robotics League as well as helping to create the MakerBattle series of competitions, which promote higher accessibility for youth competitors.
Andrey Katsman - SVP Engineering, Infinite Reality / Drone Racing League
With 25 years of experience in the tech industry, Andrey has cultivated a diverse skill set across multiple domains. Over the past seven years, he has specialized in the aerospace sector — concentrating on advanced motion tracking algorithms, electromagnetic field mapping, and airborne intelligence payloads for military drones. His expertise extends to home security and IoT, video processing, motion detection, and large-scale video streaming solutions. Recently, Andrey has been at the forefront of R&D, manufacturing, and event delivery for racing drones.
Food and Drinks to be provided.
Stay Tuned for lots of exciting announcements, as the ecosystem continues to grow and expand!
SEE YOU THERE!