Ah, but on the Vex website under “Vexview” it says, “The Vex Robotics Design System will give you everything you need to design and construct radio-controlled robotic devices…”
Sounds like a great idea for expanding the FIRST message to schools who can’t get large sponsors. And they just have to go to their local RS store to pick up the kit!
This sounds like that RadioShack announcment that was supposed to happen, about how RaidoShack was going to partner with FIRST to do something (more than just allowing us to buy parts from them that is). Personally, I can’t wait. This is really interesting, almost like an add-on to the FIRST program, kinda like Battlebots IQ and how they tie in what they do with school.
FLL won’t be dropped anytime soon from what I have seen and heard, FLL is like FIRST x10 in terms of size, spread, and adoption. Don’t take my word for it, but I think we’ll see FLL in it’s current form stick around. Just if they use legos or not, well, that could change.
All,
Sounds like a cool product and a cool competition. I’m glad that FIRST is in the game instead of on the sidelines. Making it easier for folks to compete in robot competitions is never a bad thing in my book. If I had time, I’d get involved.
JJ
Brandon,
I suppose you might as well start a VEXrobotics Forum now. It will save you the bother later. While you’re thinking about it, is there any way to let folks register with VEX team numbers or some other way to designate VEX team association? If TANDY (i.e. Radio Shack) is involved, this could get big in a hurry.
Joe J.Alas, the Tandy Corporation of my youth no longer exists. RadioShack, inexplicably without a space, is now the corporate moniker, and their ticker on NYSE is RSH.
sigh I worked for Radio Shack (with the space) for five years in my ute. They paid for two college degrees, and I sold CB radios, stereos, and TRS-80 Models 1 through 4. Seems like a fair trade.
i got the scoop today from some people higher up then me.
the vexrobotics is a kit that assembles quickly and allows you to program. this will be an in between comp between Lego league and FIRST. i was told FLL is going to be moved to a elementary project and vex is going to be middle school while FIRST is still for high school.
the other part of this that is cool is that this kit will be available in every radio shack nation wide.
i trust my source but it is still a rumor till we know for sure
Greg, this is quite interesting.
From the way your source described it, where would the VEXrobotics kit fit in relation to, say, a Mindstorms or Robovation kit in terms of programmability or build options?
the way it sounded it sounded like a car kit where the mecanical stuff is there for you and there is more of a focus on the programing
As I understand it, its Radioshack mass-marketing the Edubot as a kit for $300…now all the kids will have one!
Jon
This is brilliant and I love it.
But I wonder what they mean by “just like everyone else, only smarter”.
I may or may not know what it is, but I already have one of their cool shirts (which has the FIRST logo on the right sleeve!)!
Greg Needel may be half correct…
No…Im not a mindless pawn…
so will this be team run? or can anybody get a kit and compete?
Here we go again with all kinds of speculation. We can never out guess FIRST. I think we well just sit back and wait. 
:yikes:
Just as long as the cool shirt is part of the kit nothing can go wrong…
Oh man! If these hit shelves nationwide, it would be a huge leap for FIRST in terms of main-streaming. Viva La FIRST Revolucion!
This sounds just like what I had guessed in my first post, and it hasn’t been edited and won’t be anytime soon. I feel accomplished. 
Looking at the webpage, though, it looks like we get to play with the kits at Nationals. This should be very interesting indeed…
Plans are in place to have a competition at Nationals…we are bringing 3 or 4 teams/groups from SC to participate. Hopefully, these sights will jump to the FIRST Robotics competition next year.
I am 80% sure I know what VEX is. From what I’ve heard (rumors), RadioShack is going to mass market Robovations or a system similar to it. So VEX, by the looks of it, would be it.
if you look at the whole thread you will see that he posted/ changed his picture because of this thread. please read the entire thread before you post
Anyone else notice the bump back of the release clock, by about a week.