Anybody seen this? FIRST - VEXrobotics?

Other FIRST Tech Challenge
#65

I don’t know if it was supposed to be there or not, but I walked into a local RadioShack today looking for limit switches, and low and behold, the only limit switches they had were for VEX. And then I realized that I was looking at a VEX kit! They didn’t have the starter kits, but had the controller, some wheel sets, some gear sets, and assorted sensors and switches. $129 for the controller - not too shabby.

This kit might just be the answer to our problems (by “our” I mean the FIRST related club here at MSOE that is working on a special robot prototype for potential future mini competitions in the Milwaukee area…)

Kev

#66

I don’t suppose the controller said what languages it could be programmed with? I’m really, really hoping its not basic (Or else, why use this over the edubot?)

#67

From what I have heard…its C.

#68

Looks like something that could keep me entertained when this seasons comes to an end.

#69

One of the FIRST senior mentors had part of the kit, the controller, etc at the UTC Regional this past weekend, it looks like an amazing piece of equipment, definately better then the Robovation kit(formally Edu Robotics(EduBot))

#70

I would have loved to have tried this but kinda missed the registration deadline and the team is already too busy between now and the Championships.

I’ll have to check it out nonetheless.

Ellery

#71

VEX has been on the FIRST Website for a few weeks now, check out the link below, looks like VEX will be a new FIRST competition.

http://www.usfirst.org/VexQA.htm

#72

Those links don’t work anymore…its all under a subsection

http://www.usfirst.org/Vex/

FAQ is there and answers a lot. Looks pretty neat, but you need a login/password to get the challenge. :frowning:

#73

Engadget is running the story too, without mention of FIRST.

I wonder who is was submitted by, hmmmm…

http://engadget.com/entry/1234000803037235/

#74

just in case y’all have not heard this but coming direct from the
Ta^h^h Riverside Campus if you buy a Vex starter kit and need to return it
the following 8 parts MUST be present to do any return

Handheld controller #12430831
Controller Module #12430815
reciever module #12430823
Servo with clutch
3X Motor with Clutch 12430781
Don’t be stupid but the store can RMAC the unit with those parts present

#75

Don’t be stupid but the store can RMAC the unit with those parts present

What does rmac mean??

#76

](http://img181.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img181&image=img14941zf.jpg)http://img181.exs.cx/img181/8794/img14941zf.th.jpg

#77

They said it is going to have FIRST literature in it with the logo, etc. Any sign of it in there?

#78

yes.

#79

A Radioshack guy was at Palmetto yesterday–there was definitely a (relatively) conspicuous logo on the side with a couple of paragraphs on FIRST.

#80

RadioShack is an Official Sponsor of FIRST and is sponsoring the FIRST Vex Challange at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta this month. The FIRST Vex Challange is a mid-level robotics competition for high school-age young people. This new level of competition will offer students the traditional challenge of the FRC but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit.

RadioShack’s Vex Robotics Starter Kit is available THIS MONTH! The kit includes everything necessary to build a radio-controlled Erector-set-style robot including a pro-level, six-channel radio controller, a programmable micro controller, and hundreds of nuts, bolts, gears, wheels, and flexible metal bars that you can bend into almost any shape and even cut into pieces! The Vex starter kit comes with over 500 parts! Check out www.vexrobotics.com for more info!

A portion of all Vex proceeds goes to FIRST to help support young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. For more information on FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org

#81

FYI, Looks like the Vex Robotics website is now live.

#82

The Vex Robotics Kit is now on the RadioShack homepage: http://www.radioshack.com/

#83

Wow, they are really going all out with this thing. This is really good. Thanks for the news.

#84

Hey everyone! Check out the new Vex Robotics website at www.vexrobotics.com. It’s got tons of awesome features like Rate-A-Robot, monthly challenges, message boards, cool downloads, and lots more. It’s a great place to show off your stuff or share your ideas with others!