TEDxBoston

Dean Kamen's Lab And Non-Profit Headquarters

Is it possible to innovate around core technologies?

Find out on a rare visit to DEKA Lab in New Hampshire, where engineers work alongside founder Kamen, inventor of the Segway and National Medal of Technology winner. From the DEKA robotic arm to the Stirling engine, you’ll see first-hand how the DEKA lab is revolutionizing science. Later cross the street for a tour of the world headquarters of FIRST, a non-profit organization that each year changes how over 200,000 young people view careers in science.

Report

A group of TEDxBoston community members raved about a “fabulous trip” to Dean Kamen’s Lab and non-profit headquarters with 12-year DEKA Research engineer Ryan LaRocque. Participants had “delightful fun” in the machine shop, in particular, where they witnessed an “inside view of matching technology and design to create enabling devices.” Highlights included seeing the only motorcycle in the world that uses a Stirling engine, the site where the Segway was invented, and the “Luke arm.” The tour of FIRST, Kamen’s robotics non-profit, was equally inspiring, as guests tinkered with robots designed by primary school students.

About TEDxBoston

What happens when a group of people rally around a radical idea and set in motion unlimited possibilities for a brighter future? A Revolution.

More than 230 years ago, ordinary citizens in Boston dreamed of a democracy and launched a revolution that changed the course of human history. That innovative spirit still thrives in our local students, educators, scientists, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs. At TEDx Boston, we celebrate their ideas and their passion for improving the way citizens of the world learn, live, give, work, and play.

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxBoston, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxBoston event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.