Investors: Press Release
GeckoSystems Sponsors Magnet High School's FIRST Robotics Team
CONYERS, GA--(Marketwire - March 24, 2011) - GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. --
a dynamic leader in the emerging mobile robotics industry
revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions
for Safety, Security and Service™," (PINKSHEETS: GOSY)
(http://www.geckosystems.com/) -- announced its sponsorship of Rockdale
Math and Science Magnet High School's FIRST Robotics Team.
Rockdale Math and Science Magnet High School focuses on the fields of
mathematics, sciences and technology. It provides college-level courses
to better prepare its students for the ever-demanding and evolving
business environment in the 21st century. FIRST (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology) is an organization that inspires
young people to strive for outstanding innovation in the field of
science and technology. The organization is also home to its annual
Robotics High School National Competition (FRC).
The school's FIRST team, known as the Rockdale Magnet Engineering Team,
was mentored by GeckoSystems CEO and President R. Martin Spencer as well
as the company's Robotics Engineer Kevin O'Connor. GeckoSystems will
provide additional support or added assistance to the team. Mr. Spencer
and Mr. O'Connor both have extensive experience in the field of robotics
with a total of 8 years experience in the FIRST program and FRC.
"As a company that does extensive development of mobile robot
technology, GeckoSystems will be able to introduce the students to the
real world applications of some of the principles they may be using in
the FRC competition," stated Mr. O'Connor.
As the engineering team prepared for the Robotics Competition, they
truly valued the expertise and experience GeckoSystems provided.
"Kevin (O'Connor) has been a terrific asset to the team as a mentor.
He's provided terrific support for our programmers, electrical help and
insight into what the students need to be doing from someone who has
actually competed recently. Just as importantly he's been willing to
talk with many of the students about engineering in college and beyond,"
stated David Bonar, Physics and AP Physics Teacher at Rockdale. "In
connection with this, I am pleased to say that we are listing
GeckoSystems as one of our sponsors on the robot, our team shirts, and
in our pit area."
Added student Mark Meyers: "The GeckoSystems team was also very helpful
to us in my school First Robotics Competition. They sponsored us by
helping us with coding and ideas for how to make the (robotic) design in
general. The most incredible part is that they contacted us asking if
they could help. It was our first year at that competition and we
wouldn't be anywhere near as successful as we were. They helped with
writing code and they were up to date with all of the necessary
technology."
Recently the faculty sponsors and some of the team members visited
GeckoSystems R&D laboratory for live demos of various GeckoSystems'
technologies. (See YouTube video links at the end of this press
release.)
The students and faculty were extremely impressed with GeckoSystems'
flagship product, the CareBot™. The engineering team was in continual
awe of its innovative capabilities and important benefits.
"As a teacher, it was awesome to be able to show students real world
engineering with cutting edge technology. As you emphasized to the
students, engineering problem solving involves working with the real
world which can be very different then the often idealized world that is
presented in schools," stated Mr. Bonar. "Learning about how
GeckoSystems has dealt with both standard problems such as egg-shaped
wheels and more specific challenges such as developing a first of its
kind navigation system using the Microsoft Kinect as a sensor was an
invaluable experience for students who are interested in engineering
careers."
Bonar added: "GeckoNav™ was a particularly interesting aspect of the
robot. The fluid motion of the robot in both the wandering mode and the
target seeking mode was impressive. GeckoChat™ was not as immediately
impressive but is even more critical to the success of a service robot.
The combination of scheduled verbal interaction for reminders, the
random jokes and quotes for a more human feeling, and the potential for
two way communication via the robot seems to be a great match for the
intended role of the robots."
Mr. Meyers added: "GeckoChat™ was the high point in my opinion. The
CareBot™ robot was able to tell jokes, say famous quotes, and even play
games. The quotes and jokes were even set to go off at certain times of
the day or every so many minutes. Something that was also notable about
the chat was the fact that you could set reminders to go off in however
long you needed them, whether it was 15 minutes or a week. This would be
especially important to remind people to take medications or things of
that sort."
"GeckoNav was thoroughly impressive. The way the software manages to
generate pathways that allow it to avoid obstacles while maintaining a
smooth travel path is perfect for the robot. In a domestic setting, an
erratic travel pattern would not be tolerated very long by most," stated
Rockdale Teacher Kenny Baskett. "Furthermore, your use of the Microsoft
Kinect is brilliant. It's a testament to the quality of you and your
team that you have managed to get this working before anyone else in the
world."
GeckoSystems officials believe that sponsorships with schools such as
Rockdale that promote the fields of science and technology will bring
awareness to the advancements made in robot innovation. From the
response of the engineering team, that feeling is mutual.
Said Mr. Meyers: "I still, to this day, cannot wait to see the finished
(robotic) project, and even hope that my occupation will one day use
technology innovated by GeckoSystems."
About Rockdale:
The Rockdale Magnet School (formally, the Rockdale Magnet School for
Science and Technology) is a Magnet School located in Conyers, Ga.,
Rockdale County. It is a selective school whose students take on
rigorous college-level courses in mathematics, the natural sciences,
technology/engineering, and research. It was opened in 2000 to provide a
rigorous high school curriculum for the youth in Rockdale County. The
school focuses on the fields of mathematics, sciences and technology.
About FIRST:
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an
appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in
Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build
self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young
people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering.
With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more
than $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit
organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) and FIRST®
Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for high-school students, FIRST® LEGO® League
(FLL® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and
Canada) and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds.
Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages
high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects
individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to
www.usfirst.org.