​  The MisSFits, all-female robotics team, partners with Cruise Automation March 10, 2018 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6418, an all-female robotics team based in San Francisco -- also known as the MisSFits -- is proud to announce its partnership with Cruise Automation, a global leader in self-driving vehicle technology. The goal of the MisSFits is to introduce female youth to engineering and technology. In partnering with the MisSFits, Cruise Automation looks to positively impact the community by increasing opportunities for young girls to participate in STEM activities. As Tawni Cranz, Chief People Officer at Cruise Automation said: “We’re proud to support the all-girl MisSFits robotics team and develop the next generation of engineers. By having Cruise engineers mentor the MisSFits team here at our HQ in SF, we hope they gain some insight into what it’s like to work to solve some of our generation’s most difficult technical challenges.” The MisSFits team has been working closely with Cruise engineers as they prepare for upcoming FIRST Robotics Competitions, including ● San Francisco Regionals: March 16-18 at St. Ignatius College Preparatory ● Silicon Valley Regionals: March 29-31 at San Jose State University Event Center Based on the results of the regional events, the MisSFits team hopes to qualify for the FIRST Championship for the second year in a row. The 2018 FIRST Championship is slated to take place April 18-21 in Houston, Texas. If you are interested in participation, sponsorship or community outreach with the MisSFits team, then please contact Erika Pilpre, MisSFits Public Relations at [email protected] More about Cruise Automation We’re building the world’s best self-driving vehicles to safely connect people to the places, things, and experiences they care about. Based in San Francisco, and wholly owned by General Motors, Cruise Automation is combining the software expertise of Silicon Valley with the systems safety and manufacturing expertise of Detroit and teams around the world to lead the safe development and deployment of self-driving vehicle technology. Learn more at www.getcruise.com. More about FIRST Robotics Competition Dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind,™ FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get. Professional Mentors volunteer their time and talents to guide each team. Learn more at http://www.cafirst.org/programs/first-robotics-competition/.