Vex Wishlist?

[Donut]

Now that Innovation First is taking over the Vex line, and we know there are new products in the works, what are we hoping to get next?

I definitely want a gyro and an accelerometer for new sensors, and wouldn't mind a selector switch designed for it so you could choose different modes, especially for fully autonomous Vex robots.

I know these sensors can already be hooked up, but I think it'd be nice to see Vex versions of them.

[Billfred]

This is nit-picky, but I'd love to see the next version of the Vex starter set include a set of four big wheels. Knobby or all-purpose (or any other design) matters not to me, but having four identical ones would be awesome.

I'd also love to see an adapter cable to allow folks to interface other things to the controller. (Victors, anyone?)

The builder in me would love to see some heavier-duty allen wrenches, ones that'll last for a good long time. (How many Vex builders here went out to buy their own from another store? I rest my case.)

Finally, I'd like to see some way to get the Inventor's Guide in electronic form. Even if it's a couple of bucks for a CD, getting them as a PDF would just be awesome.

[KINGOFCLUBS454]

A new controller would be nice. The current one does it's job well, but there is no room for customization. I wouldn't mind being able make an FRC robot simulator for those long build season nights when the robot is still in 1000 pieces and I've got nothing but kitbot to program.

[Kyle Love]

I would like to see little pieces actually made to hold down the pwm cables, I know you could just use zip ties, but if you could just hold them down with something cool, it adds a "cool factor to it". I think lexan would be nice to be included in the kit, or sold in small quanities.

[irishninja]

Heat sensors.

[Gdeaver]

I'd like to see the Sharp 5' IR sensor packaged up and available for the VEX challenge next year. Have an adapter so it can be mounted on a VEX servo. Last fall we where able to do some neat auto nav with them. For arms a pot or some type of position sensor. The encoders need to be redesigned so they can fit in a smaller space. A linear actuator? Higher torque motors? Mini camera mount? Laser time of flight sensor? Suspension Kit?

[Donut]

I just realised this now; more extension cables in the starter set (the keyed ones).

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance. If only the Navy didn't own the patent...

The IR ranging sensors definitely sound good, ultrasonics can be a bit overkill for a Vex size robot.

Lastly, an archimedes screw with the 1/8" shaft on the end so it could be driven by the gears/sprockets.

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by Donut

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance.

I second that.

[artdutra04]

A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to this.)

[Donut]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to this.)

Yes, but if they come built for Vex, that pretty much ensures the sensors will have EasyC support (I don't use EasyC for it, but alot of people do).

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Donut

Yes, but if they come built for Vex, that pretty much ensures the sensors will have EasyC support (I don't use EasyC for it, but alot of people do).

When I used the IR sensors, I had programmed them using EasyC 1.0. Nothing special was needed. If you are trying to use any custom analog sensor, just use one of the LightSensor blocks. If you are using any custom digital sensor, just use one of the Bumper or LimitSwitch blocks.

The code does not know that the sensor is different. All it knows is that it has the right type of signal coming in (analog or digital), and as long as you have it wired to the right pinouts, you're ready to roll. It's that simple.

[KINGOFCLUBS454]

Originally Posted by Donut

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance. If only the Navy didn't own the patent...

Actually, the navy sold the patent to a company called Airtrax. They are currently using the design to make comercial and military vehicles.

[Donut]

Originally Posted by KINGOFCLUBS454

Actually, the navy sold the patent to a company called Airtrax. They are currently using the design to make comercial and military vehicles.

They sold it to 2 companies, the second one isn't doing nearly as well though. I heard the patent only cost around $2500 for each company. Airtrax is making forklifts with them (their's a video available), the other company was using them to make aircraft luggage loaders.

Maybe someone can convince them to manufacture just mecanum wheels commercially?

And I have a question, why is the Vex power pack battery heavier than the standard battery holder with 6 NIMH AA's, even though the 6 NIMH hold more power?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Donut

... the other company was using them to make aircraft luggage loaders.

That's where 330 originally got the idea--At LAX in '03, we'd just returned from Championship and saw these wierd wheels on the cargo crate unloader. We started plotting immediately.

[Steve0100]

I'd like to see worm Gears and spur gears, smaller rotation sensors, and IR promity sensors.
Hey, Vex lives! Good news