[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by EricH

Oh? Really?

Back in about 2003, there was a system, developed by FIRST and IFI jointly, called "EduBot". It featured a smaller IFI controller and the metal patterns that are now used on the VEX robots. The idea was that FRC teams could use it for small-scale prototyping and the like without needing a big (by comparison) IFI controller. Yes, I've played with it.

In 2005, the VEX system came online, with the FVC pilot being thrown into the mix. IFI did the development again. The result was a much cleaner version of the EduBot, and a very successful pilot (the teams played the 2004 game with modifications).

Fast forward to 2008. FIRST switched away from VEX for Tetrix and FVC became FTC. IFI went on to launch the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC).

I'm pretty darn certain that IFI did not have to buy VEX. Now, as for why they named it that, I'd go with "puzzle, perplex, baffle" as the definition--and if you have a hard time solving a problem, it VEXes you, or at least it does me.

Not quite. When VEX was developed off the EduBot system, Radio Shack was pretty heavily involved, partnering with IFI for the development and distribution of the system. Don't know which party came up with the name, but I'm certain that Radio Shack was involved just as much as IFI was when EduBot was re-branded "VEX." And, I believe IFI did pay Radio Shack to become sole owner of the VEX line, when Radio Shack backed out a few years later.

As far as the name goes, i remember it striking me as odd back then as well. But now, I can't think of VEX as having any other meaning than IFI's midrange robotics platform