Vex

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For other uses, see Vex (disambiguation).
A built vex robot, with tank treads, as well as the vex controller.
A built vex robot, with tank treads, as well as the vex controller.

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 Starter Kit (which retails for about USD $300 (you can get it for cheaper on eBay)). This kit comes with the Vex "brain" (a microcontroller), a hobby-grade remote control, various sensors, various electric motors and a servo, and structural parts. Additional sensors, wheels, tank treads, and other add-ons can be purchased separately.

This award winning platform was developed as part of a partnership between Innovation First, Inc. and ifirobotics.

This product was originally available for purchase in RadioShack stores, and also on the web. On April 17th 2006, Innovation First announced their acquisition of the VEX Robotics brand name and trademark registrations from RadioShack Corporation.

RadioShack stores are no longer selling Vex kits, after slowly phasing out their stock of VEX Robotics kits and parts, and a clearance sale. The Vex Robotics System is now for sale from web based stores like:

Trossen Robotics

Robot Market Place

Vex Labs

And more.

Contents

[edit] Programming

There is very little on programming in EasyC. So the best place to start looking for How-To whould be RIBO Labs, which is run by fellow bot builder, and programmer, Scotty (also known as "srobot" on forums).

[edit] FIRST Vex Challenge

Main article: FIRST Vex™ Challenge

The FIRST Vex Challenge is a mid-level robotics competition announced by FIRST on March 22, 2005. The FIRST Vex Challenge, according to FIRST, was designed to be a more accessible and affordable option for schools. FIRST has also said that the FVC program was created for those of an intermediate skill level. FIRST Vex Challenge robots are approximately one-third the scale of their FRC counterparts. The FVC competition is meant to provide a transition for students from the FLL competition to the FRC competition.

The 2005 FIRST season featured a demonstration of the FIRST Vex Challenge using a 1/3 linear scale mock-up of the 2004 FRC Competition, FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar. For their 2005-2006 Pilot Season, FVC teams played the Half-Pipe Hustle game using racquet balls and ramps.

For the 2006 FVC Season (2007 FIRST Season), the FIRST Vex Challenge teams are competing in the Hangin'-A-Round challenge using softballs, rotating platforms, a hanging bar, and a larger 'Atlas' ball which is significantly larger than most Vex robots and harder to manipulate. Competitions are being held around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

[edit] Games

  • 2005 Demonstration: 1/3 Scale FIRST Frenzy: Raising The Bar
  • 2006 Pilot Season: Half Pipe Hustle
  • 2006 Season: Hangin'-A-Round

[edit] Where to buy

[edit] See also

  • FIRST – First Robotics

[edit] External links

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