February 11, 2008 Educational and competition robotics product producer, Innovation First, Inc has announced the introduction of the new VEX RCR Mini robotics platform and VEX 802.11 Wi-Fi Control System. The VEX RCR Mini provides a low cost robotics solution for elementary, middle and high school students and the VEX 802.11 Wi-Fi Control System enables simultaneous operation of hundreds of robots wirelessly. These new additions expand upon the company’s VEX line of products, which help promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education amongst students and hobbyists.
The VEX RCR Mini is an open-ended robotics platform that includes all the parts and accessories inventors need to design and construct a radio-controlled robot. At less than half the size and one-third the cost of the VEX Robotics Design system, VEX Mini is designed to be accessible to hobbyists and students at the high school, middle school and now elementary school levels interested in learning about robotics. VEX Mini will be sold as a 300 part kit including gears, motors, wheels, metal and hardware, with additional accessory kits available. The VEX Mini’s quarter inch pitch is structurally compatible with all half inch pitch full-scale VEX EDR and RCR robots, enabling builders to design more capable, dexterous and agile robots by mixing parts.
Innovation First have also introduced a new robot control system built on the Wi-Fi 802.11 standard. The patent pending technology will offer a secure, affordable option for education and competition robotics users. The Wi-Fi controller will let users program their VEX robot wirelessly through any computer, including OLPC, running Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. The system also facilitates new features like robot-to-robot communication and even allows operators to drive robots remotely via the Internet.
The VEX Mini will debut at this year’s American International Toy Fair in New York City, February 17-20, 2008, and will be available to consumers in August, 2008, retailing for less than US$100. The Wi-Fi Control System will be available later this year and existing radio control systems for the VEX Robotics Design System will be upgradeable to Wi-Fi via add-on accessories in August, 2008 - in time for the 2008-2009 Vex Robotics Competition season.
For further info visit Innovation First.
