What Happened to FIRST Robotics and Dean Kamen?
FIRST Robotics, founded by inventor Dean Kamen, has grown into a global youth STEM organization, inspiring millions through robotics competitions and educational programs. While FIRST continues its worldwide expansion with major events planned through 2026 and beyond, Dean Kamen recently resigned from its Board of Directors in March 2026 following revelations about his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
Quick Answer
FIRST Robotics continues to thrive as a leading global organization for STEM education, with its 2026 season, 'FIRST AGEā¢,' underway and major championships scheduled in Houston and South Korea. However, its founder, Dean Kamen, recently resigned from the FIRST Board of Directors on March 11, 2026, and withdrew from all related activities. This decision followed public disclosures in late 2025 and early 2026 detailing his past interactions and connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, leading to a leave of absence from FIRST in January 2026.
šKey Facts
š Complete Timeline14 events
Dean Kamen Born
Dean Lawrence Kamen is born in Rockville Centre, New York.
Invents First Portable Infusion Pump
While an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Kamen invents a portable infusion pump, marking his first significant medical device innovation.
Founds FIRST Robotics
Dean Kamen, with inspiration from Woodie Flowers, founds FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to inspire youth in science and technology.
Inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
The first FRC competition is held in a New Hampshire high school gymnasium with 28 teams, marking the beginning of the international robotics competition.
Unveils the Segway
Kamen unveils the Segway Human Transporter, a self-balancing personal transportation device that garnered significant media attention.
Founds ARMI and BioFabUSA
Kamen establishes the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) and launches BioFabUSA with an $80 million grant, focusing on the mass production of engineered tissues and organs.
2025-2026 FIRST Season 'FIRST AGEā¢' Begins
The archaeology-themed 'FIRST AGEā¢' season is revealed, with the FIRST Robotics Competition 'REBUILTā¢' presented by Haas launching on January 10, 2026.
Photos with Jeffrey Epstein Released
Photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate are released, showing Dean Kamen with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, sparking public scrutiny.
FIRST Announces Inaugural US Governor's Cup
FIRST announces the creation of the FIRST United States Governor's Cup, a national robotics tournament for high school teams from all 50 states, to be held in Washington D.C.
Dean Kamen Placed on Leave by FIRST
Due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein and further document releases, Dean Kamen is put on a leave of absence from FIRST activities by the organization's Board of Directors.
2026 FIRST Global Challenge Announced for South Korea
FIRST Global announces that the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge, an international robotics competition, will take place in Incheon, Republic of Korea, from October 7-10, 2026, with a theme focused on wildfire prevention.
Dean Kamen Resigns from FIRST Board
Dean Kamen voluntarily resigns from the FIRST Board of Directors and withdraws from all FIRST activities following the ongoing scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
2026 FRC Events Underway
The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition season is actively holding events, with NAWCWD engineers teaching teams at a California District event in Port Hueneme (March 6-8) and another at Ventura College (March 13-15).
2026 FIRST Championship in Houston
The 2026 FIRST Championship, presented by BAE Systems, is scheduled to take place in Houston, Texas, bringing together over 600 FRC teams and 50,000 attendees.
šDeep Dive Analysis
Dean Kamen, a prolific American inventor known for innovations like the Segway and iBOT, established FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 with the vision of inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders. Over the decades, FIRST has expanded significantly, offering a suite of robotics programs from elementary to high school levels, including the flagship FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge, and various FIRST LEGO League programs. By 2025, FIRST programs engaged over 650,000 students across 77 countries, fostering critical STEM skills and a culture of 'Gracious Professionalism.'
The organization has continued its robust growth into 2026. The 2025-2026 season, themed 'FIRST AGEā¢,' features an archaeology-inspired challenge, with the FRC 'REBUILTā¢' competition launching in January 2026. The FIRST Championship, the culmination of the FRC season, is set to take place in Houston, Texas, from April 29 to May 2, 2026, and Houston has been secured as the host city through 2034. Additionally, the FIRST Global Challenge, an Olympics-style international robotics event, is scheduled for Incheon, Republic of Korea, in October 2026, bringing together teams from over 190 countries to address global challenges like wildfire prevention.
A significant turning point for Dean Kamen personally and his public association with FIRST occurred in late 2025 and early 2026. Following the release of documents from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, photographs emerged in December 2025 showing Kamen with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Further revelations in January 2026 included references to Kamen visiting Epstein's private island and records of multiple communications between the two. While Kamen stated his interactions were limited and he was unaware of Epstein's sexual abuse beyond news reports, the disclosures led to immediate action from FIRST.
On January 31, 2026, FIRST announced that Dean Kamen was placed on a leave of absence from all activities related to the organization, pending an independent review. Subsequently, on March 11, 2026, Kamen voluntarily resigned from the FIRST Board of Directors and formally withdrew from all FIRST activities. This move aimed to prevent any distraction from FIRST's mission and the inspiring work of its participants. Despite Kamen's departure from leadership, FIRST Robotics continues its mission, with its extensive network of students, mentors, and volunteers driving its programs and events forward globally.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if FIRST Robotics and Dean Kamen made different choices?