REV Robotics

REV Robotics
Name	REV Robotics
Type	Private
Founded	2010
Founders	Jason McKenna, Edward Costantino
Headquarters	Woodbury, Minnesota
Industry	Robotics, STEM education, Manufacturing
Products	Competition components, controllers, motors, sensors, structural elements

REV Robotics is an American company that designs and manufactures hardware for competitive robotics and STEM education. The company produces controllers, actuators, sensors, and structural components used by teams in high-school and collegiate competitions, as well as by hobbyists and research groups. REV components have been adopted widely across organized robotics programs and by independent builders.

History

Founded in 2010 in Minnesota, REV Robotics was created to serve the needs of competitive teams participating in organized events such as FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and VEX Robotics Competition. Early development aligned with trends set by organizations like FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), VEX Robotics Competition, and regional programs tied to institutions such as Minnesota State University, Mankato and the University of Minnesota. The company’s trajectory intersected with suppliers and partners from the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area manufacturing cluster and with distributors active in the Maker Faire ecosystem. Over time REV expanded its catalog in response to rule changes from organizers including FIRST Championship and international events such as the RoboCup tournaments.

Products and Technology

REV produces a suite of electrical and mechanical components used in competition robots and lab prototypes. Electrical products include motor controllers compatible with brushless and brushed motors, sensors for position and orientation inspired by devices from Bosch, communication modules with standards analogous to CAN bus and USB interfaces, and programmable control hardware that integrates with development platforms endorsed by National Instruments and Arduino. Mechanical offerings include aluminum structural rails, gearboxes, sprockets, bearings, and fasteners similar to components used in VEX Robotics kits and open-source platforms. The company has released modules that complement software ecosystems like WPILib and platforms used in collegiate research at institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. REV’s products are designed to comply with competition rules promulgated by organizers such as FIRST Tech Challenge and to interoperate with third-party offerings from suppliers including AndyMark and Tetrix.

Competitive Robotics Involvement

REV parts are widely used by teams competing at events organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), FIRST Tech Challenge, and regional competitions affiliated with FIRST LEGO League and VEX Robotics Competition. Teams from school districts tied to institutions like St. Paul Public Schools and private programs connected with Boy Scouts of America and Girls Who Code have integrated REV hardware into season robots. REV has maintained presence at major gatherings including the FIRST Championship and industry expos like CES and Bay Area Maker Faire, offering technical workshops alongside partners such as Rockwell Automation and Intel. Prominent high-school and collegiate teams utilizing REV components have competed at national events hosted at venues like Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Edward Jones Dome.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

REV’s manufacturing operations leverage domestic machining and assembly facilities and collaborate with contract manufacturers in the United States and overseas, drawing on supply chain relationships common to Midwest technology suppliers centered around Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport logistics. Components such as aluminum extrusion and stamped parts are produced using processes found in precision suppliers servicing companies like 3M and Medtronic. REV sources electronic components from global vendors that supply parts to firms such as Texas Instruments and NXP Semiconductors, while distribution channels include hobbyist retailers, institutional procurement used by school districts, and specialized distributors similar to Mouser Electronics and Digi-Key.

Corporate Structure and Leadership

The company was established by founders with experience in robotics and electronics entrepreneurship; its leadership model mirrors that of privately held technology firms in the Midwest ecosystem, connecting venture development practices seen at startups like Sphero and Lego Education. Management has engaged with trade associations and non-profit partners including Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and regional chambers of commerce in the Twin Cities area. REV’s organizational roles have reflected typical functions found in hardware companies: engineering, manufacturing, sales, and community outreach, collaborating with educational stakeholders such as Department of Education (Minnesota) and local school administrators.

Community Outreach and Education

REV supports STEM education through product donations, workshops, and sponsorships for programs run by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Best Robotics, and regional maker initiatives. The company has participated in outreach at events hosted by institutions like Science Museum of Minnesota and university-affiliated robotics labs at University of Wisconsin–Madison. REV’s educational efforts align with curricula used in technical high schools and community colleges and complement initiatives by organizations such as Project Lead The Way and Society of Women Engineers to broaden participation in robotics.

Category:Robotics companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Minnesota