| Segway inventor to speak on future of science |  |
 |
 |
| Written by Johnathan Silver, The Shorthorn senior staff | ||||
| Monday, 31 August 2009 09:02 PM | ||||
When & WhereLecture One: UTA communityWhen: 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Nedderman Hall, Room 100 Free but restricted to the UTA community Lecture Two: General public When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center Free and open to the public Inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen has designed more than 440 patented designs — many of which have medical purposes. Kamen founded his first medical device company in 1976 and received the National Medal of Technology in 2000 from then President Clinton, according to his company’s Web site. He founded his current company, DEKA Research and Development Corporation, in 1982. Kamen said he will speak about the next generation and why they need to embrace technology. One lecture will be geared toward students and another aimed at the general public. “It’s easy to talk to people about something you’re passionate about,” Kamen said. “I think I’ve talked about it enough to communicate what’s important.” Notable Kamen Inventions1993- Kamen and company designed HomeChoice, a portable kidney dialysis machine. In the past, patients had to go to hospitals for treatment.1999- Kamen unveiled the Independence iBOT 3000 Mobility System, a stair climbing wheelchair. The iBOT also can balance on two wheels and level with a standing person, meaning the person in a wheelchair can talk to a standing person eye to eye. 2001- Kamen revealed the Segway Human Transporter, a self balancing and electric powered human transporter. Others have referred to it as a “super scooter.” These inventions are among more than 440 designs patented by Kamen. FIRST holds a robotics competition for high-school-aged people. Contestants are given six weeks to design, build and test robots that are expected to do designated tasks. “Texas is becoming a hub for FIRST,” he said. “JCPenny in Dallas and National Instruments in Austin are going to sponsor hundreds and hundreds of FIRST teams. We need to keep adding more fertilizer to the mix by partnering with Texas companies and universities.” Lynn Peterson, College of Engineering senior associate dean, said she’s heard Kamen speak twice in the past and thought that he would be perfect for the first speaker for the college’s 50th anniversary. “We were looking for someone who relates well with the public and is also a solid engineering person,” she said. “I think he sells general audiences on the need to appreciate innovation and entrepreneurship.” Electrical engineering senior Sam Simmons said he will attend a lecture. “I only knew him because he invented the Segway and owns an island. I’m going because he’s famous,” he said. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime.” Views: 200 | E-mail
Only registered users can write comments. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition
v.1.4.6 | ||||
Be first to comment this article
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Copyright © 2005 - 2009 The Shorthorn.
