http://dvice.com/archives/2010/03/the-worlds-most-2.php
The world's most creative robot builders battle it out in NYC this weekend
This weekend in New York City dozens of high schools from across the country and abroad are sending hundreds of students to battle it out in a test of robotic skill. It's the 10th anniversary of New York City robot competitions run by FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — an outfit started by robo-pioneer Dean Kamen (who you may remember for the Segway and the "Luke arm").
The teams hail mostly from the tri-state area, but Brazil and Great Britain have also sent students to compete. The game is a modified version of soccer, and all the teams are given similar robotic kits and six week period to build the best 'bot they can.
We'll be there all weekend to cover the action and introduce you to the creative students, in high school and younger, who make the 'bots go. Or you can check out the action yourself if you happen to be in New York City. Admission is free and the competitions run from 9 AM until later in the afternoon at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Check out FIRST's website for detail.
Check out one of the practice competitions below — with captions to introduce you to some of the robots.
UPDATE: As indicated in the comments below, FIRST operates competitions in more than just NYC. FIRST is an international organization. Please visit their website for more information. Our coverage will focus on the events in NYC, though, as always, we'd love to hear from all of you.
Via FIRST
CORRECTION: Dean Kamen's name was incorrectly spelled as "Dean Kamer."