Michigan High School Students Embark on 2005 FIRST Robotics Competition

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Jan. 12, 2005 -- At a regional kickoff event for the 2005 FIRST Robotics competition at Northville High School on Saturday, high school students from across Michigan learned the details of this year's robotic challenge during a national simulcast from NASA. In the next six weeks, and with the guidance of volunteer mentors from the business community, FIRST Robotics teams in Michigan and around the world will build robots and compete in regional and national events.

The non-profit robotics competition requires teams to design, assemble and test a robot capable of performing the specified task revealed last weekend. Robotics, one of the leading extra-curricular activities for high school students, drew 1,400 students belonging to 78 of Michigan's 100 participating teams to the event.

"The next six weeks will be a time of intense activity for students and mentors alike, one that will require focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, project timelines and deadlines," said Scott Paradise, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Intier Automotive, in an address to the students. "You'll literally be exposed to all facets of a total product development environment, and you'll see and do things you've never imagined you could do."

Paradise explained how Intier engineers and robotics students are not that different because both groups channel their energy into innovation, craftsmanship and design performance. He reminded students that being truly innovative means having the courage to not step away from a challenge or untested idea. Shortly after his speech, the NASA simulcast revealed the assignment of developing robots that can stack and align pyramid-shaped blocks into rows.

Kickoff sponsor Intier Automotive has also sponsored Novi High School's "Frog Force" robotics team for several years, providing guidance throughout the process and offering its facility and equipment as a resource for students.

"Our commitment to FIRST Robotics participants is strong, and we'll continue to provide support through scholarships, mentoring and exposing students to all sides of the business environment," said Paradise.

Other speakers included Delphi Chairman and CEO JT Battenberg and Northville Schools Superintendent Leonard Rezmierski.

After the six-week robot development period, students will attend regional events, located in Ypsilanti, Detroit and Allendale, to demonstrate their creations. Teams are judged and given various awards, including design innovation and team spirit, allowing them to qualify for the national championship to be held in Atlanta, Ga., in April.

About FIRST

The competition is a program of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen. Awarding $5 million in scholarships each year, the program inspires students to look at further studies and careers in engineering, technology and science, and motivates them to demand more exposure to these fields and the professionals who are active in them. The competition aims to show students not only that technological fields hold varied opportunities for success and are accessible and rewarding, but also that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering and invention are exciting and interesting.

About Intier Automotive

Intier Automotive is an innovative leader in the development and manufacture of vehicle interior and closure components and systems for the global automotive industry. The Company's capabilities are among the most diversified in the industry, ranging from understanding consumer needs and wants; market and consumer research; concept development, design and engineering; testing and validation; to the manufacture of interior and closure systems. Intier is also a leader in vehicle interior integration and program management. Interiors product expertise includes complete seating systems including seating hardware; cockpit systems; overhead, sidewall and trim systems; floor carpet and complete vehicle acoustic systems; and cargo management systems. Closures product expertise includes complete door systems; system module technologies including mid-doors; sliding doors; electro-mechanical systems; window regulator systems; and latching systems. Intier has approximately 24,000 employees at 73 manufacturing facilities, 15 product development, engineering and testing centres and 17 sales/purchasing offices throughout North America, Europe, Brazil, Japan and China.