Innovation First acquires Vex from Radio Shack

[wsansewjs]

I am relieved to see IFI taking the VEX up because VEX is an unique concept and cool idea, but we all know that products from RadioShack is not so great in quality. Therefore IFI is a small corporation that shows that the quality is superior, therefore the Vex BY IFI will be greatly improved. Price is not a concern if your sponsors can support you. This is another great news for everyone in FIRST community. Hope all goes well by IFI. *crosses fingers*

-WJS

[Richard Wallace]

GREENVILLE, Texas (April 17, 2006) – Innovation First, a leading provider of robotics products for the consumer and education markets, today announced it’s acquisition of the Vex® Robotics Design System brand name and trademark registrations from RadioShack Corporation. Innovation First, developer and licensor of the technology powering Vex, partnered with RadioShack in 2005 to develop the award-winning product platform.

“Gaining ownership of the Vex Robotics brand ...

RadioShack sold the VEX brand. IFI already owned the design/technology, which they developed. I guess if IFI had wanted to sell the same stuff under a new name, they might have avoided paying RS for the brand? Anyway, I hope the right to call the stuff "VEX" instead of something else didn't cost IFI too much.

There are probably many customers (e.g., my team) who will be very glad that these kits are going to be available from IFI. I'd buy one regardless of how they were branded.

[lukevanoort]

It'd be nice if IFI started selling Vex controllers by themselves too... (goes back to scheming)

[JVN]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

It'd be nice if IFI started selling Vex controllers by themselves too... (goes back to scheming)

Way ahead of you!
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-...it-parts.shtml

[KathieK]

Yeah!

[Steve S.]

(just to put this out there, IFI does not have the Vex name now, Innovation First does. IFI is the supplier of FRC which is owned by Innovation First. The Vex name belongs to Innovation First and Vex Labs.)

Well, im glad that vex no longer belongs to radio shack......maybe now ill buy a vex kit

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by JVN

Way ahead of you!
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-...it-parts.shtml

OMG, having the ability to buy every single piece in the Vex kits a la carte is awesome! Now, if you want to get an "autonomous-only" Vex kit, or if you are an educator and want to stock up on a lot of controllers, this is amazing! If this is any sign of future things to come, I think Vex has an amazing future ahead. Congrats IFI!

And in the ultimate sign of irony for RadioShack, I think the Vex product line will finally take off now.

[MikeL303]

does this mean we will see more amazing vex robots by IFI?

[JVN]

All,
Let me try to answer a few questions. If I miss anything, feel free to post; we will try to get everything answered as quickly as possible. We are happy to share this good news with the FIRST community.

Pricing:
The current pricing listed on VexLABS.com will not change in the near future (i.e. $299 for a starter kit).

Availability:
All Vex product will be available through VexLABS.com web sales.
Those items that are currently out-of-stock will become available ASAP.

As mentioned in the above announcement, other options of distribution are being considered. No matter what, you can count on VexLABS.com to remain a source of Vex products.

Development:
With this announcement comes the green-light to start development on the MANY new ideas we have for the future of Vex. I don't know exactly what is coming, but I'm excited about the potential. (Yes, hopefully they'll let me spend some time on new super-robots).

Web Presence:
Some have noticed that vexrobotics.com is now a link to a RadioShack.com product page. This will change in the future; the entire web layout for Vex is going to be revamped. We now own the URL vexrobotics.com, and intend to expand ASAP. There is a lot of potential there, and we intend to include as much as possible. (Open community forums, advanced tech support, published designs, revamped vexcad.com, all are ideas on the table.)

Personally, I think this is great news. I'm glad we've gotten the chance to share it with all of you. I think this is an exciting time for the Vex program, and we'll hopefully see a very bright future.

-JV

[jeffmorris]

I am very happy that Vexlabs continues to sell Vex Robotics products.