Man of Many Inventions Focuses on Helping Others

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published March 22, 2007 at 9:41 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Dean Kamen patented several hundred inventions ranging from the Segway transporter to a compressed air-powered device which can launch a human onto rooftops. He tells us what makes a successful inven

Tom Fudge: This weekend the San Diego FIRST robotics competition takes place at the ipayOne center. FIRST means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. It’s a robotics competition for young people and it’s the baby of a man who has created quite a few things. His name is Dean Kamen and his best known invention is probably the Segway, that motorized scooter that people ride in a standing position. But he’s also invented the Ibot mobility system for disabled people, and Home Choice portable dialysis machine just to name a couple. Dean Kamen is president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation and he joins me now to talk about inventing and inspiring kids to get involved in science and engineering.

The San Diego FIRST Robotics Competition will take place Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, at the ipayOne Center.

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Guest

Dean Kamen, entrepreneur, inventor, founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation