Vex and Radio Shack Plan Robotics Kit

Posted 22 Mar 2005 at 21:14 UTC by steve

According to MSNBC and PC Magazine articles, Vex Robotics Design and Radio Shack have partnered on a 500 piece erector-set-like robotics kit, called the Vex Robotics Design System, that will retail for $299. The intention is to provide a kit more advanced than previous ones such as the LEGO Mindstorms kits. CMU is contributing curriculum for high school teachers. FIRST is organizing a FIRST Vex competition that will rely on the new kits. The initial kit will only allow radio controlled robots but Radio Shack will be releasing a programming microcontroller module later in the year that allows autonomous designs.

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A little late?, posted 23 Mar 2005 at 11:39 UTC by roschler » (Master)

Am I the only one that is very surprised at how late Radio Shack is getting into the robot game?

When I was a lot younger, I remember Radio Shack being a fun place to get the latest in electronics stuff. If they had kept up the pace, they would have had an entire line of robots and robot parts 10 years ago.

RS Late 4 the Robotics Revolution again and again, posted 23 Mar 2005 at 14:13 UTC by The Swirling Brain » (Master)

There's several robotics revolution(s) happening here. There was one before cheap cpus, then there was another with heathkit hero, then again with owi kits, then again with solarbotics, battlebots, then another with lego, aibo, etc (I'm sure I left some important stuff out). In recent years, ie: right now, we're starting to see more robotics stuff emerge than ever before. And, I think we're about to see another (the continuing wave of) robotics revolution. Definately RS could/should have competed with hero or owikits or lego and other robotics waves all along. Really, I'm expecting the new RS's kit to be something for kids not something serious for real robotics enthusiasts so they'll still be late for the next revolution too. I agree that they probably did miss the boat, but they missed it over and over and over again. They're probably trying to hop on the next revolution wave before they miss all the boats. So at least in that respect it's good to see that they're trying to catch a wave and surf it even if they are late to the surf party. Say hi to Frankie and Annette.

Radio Shack, posted 23 Mar 2005 at 18:51 UTC by Botnerd » (Master)

Yeah Radio Shack doesent offer much off anything anymore like parts even.Now Radio Shack is just another place to buy cell phones.

RS and Vex, posted 23 Mar 2005 at 21:04 UTC by zappepcs » (Journeyer)

If RS/Vex are going to release a programmable module, perhaps LEGO will finally announce the update to their RCX 2.0?

The Internet killed any value that RS brought to your local neighborhood, especially if you can wait for a week to get the part. The Internet will be doing this to many other retail markets in the near future, not just those with stocking and distribution overheads.