(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- A small startup called Sumo Robot League encourages middle school students to learn to build 4-by-4-inch, 17-ounce machines, program them, then pit them against each other, tournament-style. Chief Executive Officer Eric Parker, an architect by training and a parent, says the goal is to lead more kids toward computer science degrees. He’s pitching his $100 robot-making kits to teachers. “I think they’re on the right track,” says John Morehouse, director of Georgia’s Center of Innovation for Manufacturing, a state development agency that’s helping make the kits. “They’ve nailed it on knowing who to target.”
To contact the author of this story: Michael Belfiore in at michael@michaelbelfiore.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jeff Muskus at jmuskus@bloomberg.net.
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