I actually uploaded those photos to the CD Media just for this thread.
As you can see there are some really nice components that are currently missing in Tetrix such as some of the joints and belts which I got close-ups of. It seems like a great hybrid of what's currently available in Tetrix and Vex while being compatible with the LEGO Mindstorms system.
I spoke with the gentleman at the booth for a bit who was the creator of the new platform. I believe he actually came up with the system to help grow FTC in Asia as it is currently too expensive for teams over there to order kits from here and having a second kit-of-parts made locally over in China would open the door to really getting FIRST going over there. The fact that teams here in the US and abroad would be able to mix & match components from Matrix & Tetrix seems like a potential win-win for everyone involved in FTC.
Some highlights from my conversation:
- No pricing or availability yet; they are still sourcing some of the parts
- Currently they only have VIs in LabView, but they've already reached out to CMU and it sounds like ROBOTC will be able to support the new platform
- Those plastic push rivits in some of the pictures are designed for easy & rapid prototyping. You would generally use the screws and nuts when building your competition robot
- The hole patterns (size & spacing) is completely compatible with LEGO Technic and Tetrix
- The motors have built-in encoders
Below & in the subsequent posts are all the photos I managed to capture on my phone:
