Sony Electronics to Host First Annual KOOV Challenge for U.S. Students

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the first annual KOOV Challenge USA. Students and KOOV users all over the contiguous United States will have the opportunity to have fun, think critically, express their creativity using their coding, robotics and design skills, and collaborate with their peers in this contest to win prizes and further their knowledge in STEAM. 

"The Sony KOOV Challenge USA Contest is a fun way for Sony to engage and inspire the next generation of young innovators and include future technology design themes that are increasingly important to both Sony and the industry at large," said Michiko Araki Kelley, vice president, New Business and Corporate Marketing group, Sony Electronics. "At CES 2020, Sony unveiled the Vision-S Prototype Vehicle, so this year's KOOV Challenge USA continues with the autonomous vehicle transportation theme as part of the competition."

The challenge will be offered to students within the contiguous United States in Grades 3-8 at both public and private schools with teacher or faculty sponsorship and parent/legal guardian consent.  There is no fee to participate and students may participate online in the KOOV App and/or in person at Sony's San Diego headquarters. 

KOOV Challenge USA Contest – Phase 1 Online Event
Hosted within the KOOV App will be an online robotics challenge around the theme of Autonomous Vehicle Transportation. By coding and creating a unique concept, students will take the design challenge and upload their final submission to the KOOV App. The top 3 winners will each receive a KOOV Trial Kit.

• CONTEST PERIOD­: February 3, 2020–March 13, 2020
• LOCATION: ­ KOOV App
• Please see official Contest Rules for details at http://sony.com/KOOV

KOOV Challenge USA Contest – Phase 2 On-Site Event
Sony Electronics in San Diego will host an in-person timed robotics challenge and concept presentation. Students will be challenged to create a unique design with KOOV and complete a challenge surrounding the theme of Autonomous Vehicle Transportation. Groups of no more than 3 students grouped in either grades 3–5 or grades 6–8 may participate, subject to the Contest Official Rules. The grand prize consists of a trip to the KOOV Challenge in Tokyo, Japan in October 2020.   

• EVENT DATE: March 22, 2020
• TIME: 9:00am– 3:30pm PST
• LOCATION: Sony Electronics headquarters – 16535 Via Esprillo, San Diego, Calif.
• Please see official Contest Rules for details at http://sony.com/KOOV

All entrants, both online and on-site, must submit an entry form that is sponsored and signed by a teacher/faculty at their school and parent/legal guardian to enter and win. Please access the entry form via this website: http://bit.ly/KOOVChallengeUS 

In order to participate in the Phase 2 – On-Site Event, entrants must submit their entry form by February 24, 2020. 

About KOOV
KOOV is an all-in-one coding, robotics and design kit that combines digital coding with physical building to teach the next generation of problem solvers and innovators. Reflecting Sony's commitment to both technology innovation and quality science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education, KOOV is designed to help cultivate students' collaboration and problem-solving skills, which have become critically important in 21st century learning.  

About Sony Electronics Inc. 
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.

SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.