Innovation First, Inc. Announces New Vex Robotics Products for 2008

[Brandon Martus]

VEX RCR Mini and VEX 802.11 Wi-Fi Competition Control System Provide Users with Advanced Robotics Options for Popular VEX System

Download Press Release

[s_forbes]

I already responded on the vex forum, but I'll say it here too: Amazing products!! The wifi looks awesome and the new mini vex kit sounds way too cool to pass up; I may have to get one (or two or three...)

[daneelshof]

This could possibly be a preview of what is to come in the redesign of the FRC robot controllers. I can't wait for more details on this new Vex controller.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by daneelshof

This could possibly be a preview of what is to come in the redesign of the FRC robot controllers.

You got a point there. The only problem is the chance that someone off-field can control it, but that can be fixed. Hmm...more teams, more robots, more channels...one standardized control system for FRC AND FTC? That would be cool!

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by EricH

You got a point there. The only problem is the chance that someone off-field can control it, but that can be fixed. Hmm...more teams, more robots, more channels...one standardized control system for FRC AND FTC? That would be cool!

Hmmm one control system to rule all the competitions...

The Lord of the Bots....

One WIFI to rule them all......

[Dave Flowerday]

If the speculation in this thread is correct and IFI is not providing the control system for 2009, then I wonder if the WiFi field control patent mentioned in this press release means that a new control system provider cannot control the FRC competition with WiFi (unless they license the IP from IFI)?

[petek]

Hmmm... I didn't see any mention of the Mini being programmable. If not, that would limit its usefulness for education.

VEX 802.11 does sound like a brilliant product. If it works like they suggest it would open up all kinds of possibilities and eliminate the #1 source of contention on the field (robots appearing to not be communicating). But why, oh why, does this make me think of Skynet?

The system also facilitates new features like robot to robot communication and even allows operators to drive robots remotely via the Internet.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by petek

But why, oh why, does this make me think of Skynet?

Illah Nourbakhsh has been driving robots over the Internet for some time now... no Skynet yet, much to my chagrin.

http://www.terk.ri.cmu.edu/

[basicxman]

im pretty sure the mini would be programmable as the wifi controller is programmable via linux, windows, and mac and i believe the wifi controller would be associated with the vex mini so its thus programmable (my theory)

just my $0.02

and BTW great products!!!

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by petek

But why, oh why, does this make me think of Skynet?

Illah Nourbakhsh (one of the brains behind the CMUcam) has been driving robots over the Internet for some time now... no Skynet yet, much to my chagrin. I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlords.

http://www.terk.ri.cmu.edu/

[artdutra04]

The new Wifi feature looks sweet, especially since it allows robot to robot communication (this will add a lot of fun to advanced programming), control over the Internet, and it's multi-OS compatible.

[EHaskins]

Very interesting.

Now I can't wait to hear about the new FRC controller.

[dtengineering]

Hmm... a wi-fi interface would provide the bandwidth needed to have full-motion video feedback from the robot direct to the controlling computer.

Operators in one room, robots in another... how's that for a challenge.

Jason

P.S. As for operating the robot over the internet... build it solid and ship it to the competition. Have someone there charge the battery and put it on the playing field. You stay home and compete in your pyjamas!

[EtherealNinja]

Wow! This has blown my mind
Wi-fi is the perfect solution for controlling robots!
Hopefully this will solve the radio crystal issues people experienced at FTC competitions (that is, if FIRST doesn't change to a platform other than Vex).
Looking further even more... I wonder if we'll ever be controlling FRC robots with Wi-fi... the control board possibilities would be amazing!