DMTN Associate Mentors FIRST Robotics Team

Hiroaki Masuo, an electrical engineer at DENSO’s Maryville, Tennessee, facility (DMTN), has supported local FIRST Robotics student teams for more than nine years. FIRST Robotics is an international competition where students get firsthand engineering experience. On these teams, Hiroaki coaches and mentors students about mechanical engineering and programming robot code – a passion of his that he says helps pass on his knowledge from his career at DENSO to the next generation of STEM workers.

Hiroaki believes working directly with these students teaches them the skills they need to become strong assets and key team players when they eventually enter the workforce.

“The superb skills they learn in this program give them a competitive edge they cannot acquire from ordinary curriculum,” he explained.

DENSO puts a high value on not only manufacturing high quality automobile parts, but also nurturing the talents of those who may lead the company in the near future. Giving strong support to FIRST Robotics teams and competitions is a means to make contributions to enhancing young people’s potential and opportunities in communities DENSO serves.