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Could the next Tesla or Rivian founder come from Atlanta?
ROBOKONG is working to make that happen.
Founded by Kidd Kong, ROBOKONG is an electric vehicle education program run at the J.D. Sims Recreation Center in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. As a robotics enthusiast and coach, Kong has developed a 10-week curriculum for middle school students to learn about battery innovation and the evolving electric vehicle (EV) world. Through the program, kids get hands on engineering experience building electric-powered RC (remote control) cars.
The program officially got off the ground earlier this month with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens as part of his Year of the Youth initiative.
The curriculum is broken down into three components: Design, Build, and Race. The design module breaks down the engineering requirements needed to make an EV run. Ultimately, students will be able to learn how to 3D print the body of a car to go on top of an electric chassis. You can catch a glimpse of the cars racing here:
The EV State
49 new electric mobility programs have launched in the State of Georgia since 2020, contributing over $25.5 billion in investments. Major car manufacturers like Kia and Rivian, and EV battery companies like SK Battery, have planted roots in Georgia, making it an early hub of electric vehicle innovation.
The state touts job opportunities created by these EV investments. But Kong wants to make sure that those EV jobs are accessible to kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Kidd Kong
The program is all about giving kids the “opportunity to play in the [EV] field and not have to watch from the sidelines,” Kong told Hypepotamus. Kong is particularly passionate about bringing EV learning and hands-on training to underprivileged and underserved kids across the Atlanta area.
ROBOKONG’s Vision
ROBOKONG is an extension of Kong’s work with kids. Kong admits he struggled through high school and the early part of his twenties. But he found joy and purpose helping young people, be it building Teen Clubs or teaching boxing. He’s also found a love for robotics and has been coaching at the Johnson STEM Activity Center for the last five years. He sees cars as something that can more easily catch the attention and imagination of young students, ultimately getting them excited about EV careers.
The interest and need for such a program continues to grow, with Kong saying that he sees an average of one new kid each day coming into the Recreation Center ready to participate.. A lot of ROBOKONG’s growth to date has been through word of mouth across the neighborhood.
As of last week, more than 20 kids have joined the program.
As the founder and executive director of the education nonprofit, Kong said he is always in fundraising mode. But beyond monetary donations, he is always looking for people to donate their time to come down and talk to kids in the program about STEM careers.