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A robot that was made using the VEX system to compete in the 2007 FTC competition

The VEX Robotics Design System is a robotic kit intended to introduce students as well as adults to the world of robotics. The VEX Robotics Design System is centered around the VEX Protobot Kit (which retails for USD $199.99).^[1] This kit comes with four electric motors and a servo, wheels (four small, four medium all purpose, and four large high-traction tires), gears, and structural parts.^[2] Additional sensors (ultrasonic,^[3] line tracking,^[4] optical shaft encoder,^[5] bumper switches,^[6] limit switches,^[7] and light sensors^[8]), wheels ( small and large omni-directional wheels,^[9] small, medium, and large regulars), tank treads,^[10] motors,^[11] servos,^[12] gears^[13] (regular and advanced), chain and sprocket sets,^[14] extra transmitters and receivers,^[15] programming kit (easyC,^[16] robotC,^[17] MPLab^[18]), extra metal,^[19] pneumatics,^[20] and rechargeable battery power packs,^[21] can all be purchased separately.

This award winning platform was developed by Innovation First International.^{[citation needed]}

This product was originally available for purchase in RadioShack stores, and also on the web. On April 17, 2006 Innovation First announced their acquisition of the VEX Robotics brand name and trademark registrations from RadioShack Corporation.^[22] RadioShack stores are no longer selling VEX kits.

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) [edit]

The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a robotics competition utilizing the VEX robotics platform.^[23] VEX Robotics, Inc. contracts the non-profit Robotics Education and Competition Foundation to organize and operate the worldwide VEX Robotics Competition.^[24] Teams build and program a robot to complete a task revealed each year. VRC is played on a 12'x12' square field. Two alliances – one "red" and one "blue" – composed of two teams each, compete in each match which consists of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by accruing points according to the game elements laid out in that year's rules. In some years, additional points could be earned by positioning the robot at the end of the match. In Elevation, Clean Sweep, and Round Up, a bonus was awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period. In Gateway though, there is no autonomous bonus.

The cost is currently $(US)100 for the first team from an organization, and $(US)50 for each additional team.

The winning alliance (and runners up at events with 51 or more teams) at each local competition qualify for the VEX World Championship. The winners of the Robot Skills and Programming Skills Challenges also qualify for the VEX World Championship. In addition, the winner of the "Excellence Award" at each tournament with at least 18 teams qualifies for the Vex World Championship.^[25]

VEXplorer [edit]

Model kit maker Revell Monogram and VEX robot supplier Innovation First announced more details of their new consumer robot kit February 13, 2007.

The VEXplorer robot kit is a direct descendant of the VEX robot kit that is the basis for student robot design competitions. It was designed and marketed to "bring robotics creation outside the classroom taking the consumer robotics category to new heights."

VEXplorer includes all the parts, motors and wheels to make a remote controlled rolling robot with a webcam and a claw arm strong enough to pick up a full aluminum can.

VEXplorer is the product of a partnership between the two companies that was announced last year. Revell will handle the marketing while Innovation First will provide the engineering and technical design.

The VEXplorer kit has 2 add-on kits: a wrist joint to give arms more flexibility, and a tank tread set similar in design to those sold as a standard VEX add-on.

As of 2009 the Vexplorer has been discontinued; however, accessories are "still available."^[33]

VEX does not allow any VEXplorer electronics to be used in any official VEX Competitions.^[34]

See also [edit]

• iRobot Create
• Lego Mindstorms
• Robotis Bioloid
• FIRST Robotics
• BEST Robotics
• Robot kit

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Official Vex Robotics Website
• Vex Robotics Design System tips, recommendations and how to order hard-to-find parts
• The MythBusters Test the Vex Robotics System for Robot Magazine
• The VEX store
• The Official Vex Community Site
• An Article About Vexplorer

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