Rob Harvey, executive chairman and co-founder of For The Win Robotics, joined the Drone Radio Show to discuss how next-generation drones are reshaping the future of STEM education and workforce readiness. The episode covers FTW Robotics' journey from founding to nationwide deployment, the design and capabilities of the Hopper® drone, and the vision behind the Build Fly Code® curriculum.
About the Guest
Rob Harvey is a visionary brand builder with more than 20 years of experience elevating unique voices and guiding industry leaders to new technologies. As an executive within the music industry, he defined mainstream culture by breaking 50 #1 songs and promoting artists across multiple genres. He held influential positions at two major record labels before transitioning to Spotify, where he helped redefine the record industry globally.
His ability to identify gaps in the market led him to pivot to education, where he recognized a critical need for better STEM and computer science-based education technology. As executive chairman and co-founder of For The Win Robotics, he pioneered the Build | Fly | Code program — now deployed in more than 1,000 schools across the United States.
The Hopper® Drone
In 2023, For The Win unveiled Hopper® — a drone designed specifically for hands-on learning. Developed by a team of aerospace, education, and technology experts, Hopper features a dual-core processor for communication and flight control, along with a lens for advanced computer vision including infrared and color capabilities. The system supports Wi-Fi-driven, real-time data and image transmission, making it one of the most capable classroom drones available.
Critically, Hopper is validated through NDAA Section 889 compliance — making it one of the only classroom drones that meets federal security standards for use in government-funded programs, CTE, and defense-adjacent education contexts.
Key Topics from the Episode
The conversation covers FTW Robotics' mission to foster critical thinking and lifelong curiosity through experiential STEM education, how the Build Fly Code curriculum has evolved through updates and new challenges, the role of competition in keeping students engaged and driving skill development, and the pathway from classroom drone experience to real-world careers in drone-enabled industries.