Revell Monogram, a giant in major modeling arenas for
decades, and Innovation First, Inc., have partnered to launch
Vexplorer, the next
generation of an important DIY
robotics
design system.
SolidWorks has
partnered with this team and is
providing a Student Design
Kit in
Vexplorer packages
through
selected big box
and internet
channels in
North America.
Mike Brezette, Vice President Marketing, Revell and MythBuster Grant Imahara in the Vexplorer exhibit at the recent Maker Faire. Grant has been an avid Vex robotics system enthusiast since its inception; at the Faire, Mike and Grant discussed the details of the latest Vexplorer release, expected out in Fall 2007. Photo by George Mitsuoka.
With over 300 parts, the new Vexplorer can be built in endless configurations. Features include a gripper that can pick up a filled soda can or a feather; an enhanced robot arm; a spycam that can broadcast to your TV over distances of up to 150 ft. and all-terrain tires. Vexplorer includes 4 servos, 24 gears, various coated heavy metal parts, cables, harnesses, tools, screws, nuts, bolts and more.
Vexplorer is part of the Vex system, which is already widely embedded in junior high school, high school, and college robotics classes. It is endorsed by FIRST*, NASA, Carnegie Mellon, and other prestigious organizations, and it won the Best Innovation of Show award at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show. The Vexplorer system is compatible with the Vex system and can be expanded using a variety of accessories and mechanical parts available at Vex.com.
QUICK SPECS
The new Vexplorer system includes 300+ individual parts with many pre-assembled modules. Parts and pieces in the new robotics design system include:
-- 4 Vexplorer motors
-- 6-channel RC Transmitter (4 analog, 2 digital), 27MHz and 49MHz, 9V battery
-- 6-channel RC Receiver (6 motor ports, 2 power out ports), 27MHz and 49MHz
Components compatible with original VEX systems:
-- Receiver Battery Pack, 6 standard AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries, standard 7.2V hobby plug
-- Camera/Transmitter, 2.4GHz color video camera with sound (4-channel options)
-- Camera Receiver Base, 2.4GHz (4-channel), 4 AA battery powered, 2 RCA jacks (video and mono audio out)
-- Structural Metal, VEX compatible 1/2 inch center galvanized steel
-- Motion Parts, VEX compatible gears, shafts, wheels and gripper claw
-- Hardware, VEX compatible screws, bolts, nuts, spacers and bearings
-- Design Software, SolidWorks Student Design Kit, Free 150-day trial DVD
* FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by Dean Kamen, Paul Allen (President of Microsoft) and others to introduce students to the fun of science and technology.
Check out these exclusive pictures of the new Vexplorer system:
The SolidWorks Student
Design
Kit, a sophisticated
3D
modeling
and design
system,
is
functionally
identical
to the
Solid
Works
software
used
by
industry
professionals. The Student Design Kit
is
a 150-day term-of-
use
license.
The Vexplorer system permits students, hobbyists and robot competition entrants to create diverse robot applications limited only by their imagination. Many accessory packs are available ranging from tank treads and omnidirectional wheels to expanded gear train kits. The sky is the limit. Solidworks mechanical design and 3D CAD software allows creative design and testing on your PC, and selected pages at www.solidworks.com offer users the opportunity to share designs, 3D images and functional moving 3D models with other Solidworks users. Vexplorer will be available in Fall 2007. Stay tuned for more updates from Robot magazine.
About Revell:
Revell Inc., www.revell.com, recently acquired by Hobbico, Inc., www.hobbico.com, is the worldwide market leader in the sales of plastic model kits including cars, trucks, ships, planes, and related subjects. It also markets hobbyclass slot cars and RC vehicles. Founded over 60 years ago, the company markets under the brands of Revell and Monogram.
Innovation First, www.innovationfirst.com, incorporated in 1996 and is a privately held S corporation. The company was founded on the belief that innovation very early in the design process is necessary to produce simple and elegant product designs. Innovation First began producing electronics for unmanned mobile ground robots, and is an industry leader in the hobby, competition and education markets.
