[thefro526]

I'm no longer involved in FTC directly and haven't been for a year but it seems as if all FIRST has accomplished is a MASSIVE step backwards in terms of robot construction. There also seems to be a a step forward in computation in control but to me it can't justify the lack of mechanical parts. I know that when my team did FTC (it was FVC then) we didn't have much of a need for very complex programming as much as we had a need for complex mechanisms.

I think the best part about VEX that this system is lacking is the fact that it wasn't made for a robotics competition. It was made to be an educational tool so it was subject to competitors which gave IFI the drive and necessity to constantly improve the kit. With this new kit it's going to be a hodgepodge of commercially available (Sensors and NXT controller/legos) and one off components like gears and metal so some products may be improved over time but then others may not.