There’s been lots of rumors swarming around that Radio Shack was killing the VEX Robotics line of toys. I got some news a month or so ago, but hesitated to post about it since it was totally unconfirmed. However, most of the VEX stock in my area was placed on deep discount and sold within a weekend.

I just got a PM today on the ROBOT Magazine forums pointing me to this press release from Innovation First, which states that Innovation First has bought the, "Vex® Robotics Design System brand name and trademark registrations from RadioShack Corporation." You may remember that Innovation First partnered with Radio Shack to develop the kit back a year or so ago.

Plans are to expand the line and continue production.


Vex can now be purchased off of Innovation First’s new Vex website, www.vexlabs.com. Also note that the VEX Development Kit and accessories are still available on Radio Shack’s website for deep discounts. Currently the kit is on sale for $150, discounted from $300.

After buying LEGO Mindstorms NXT and eyeballing several upcoming Pleos, I’m really torn as to weather I should drop the cash for a VEX system. Thoughts?

Related:

• DEMO 2006 Video of Ugobe Pleo 
• Pre-Order LEGO Mindstorms NXT on April 1st
• Robot Magazine Offers – Win A Robot Built By TV’s MythBusters
• Vex Robotics Programming Really Out?

Tags: [ VEX | LEGO Mindstorms | robots | pleo ]


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In response to our earlier post about the Vex Robotics Programming kit, it seems that they may realy be available this time. Everyone’s favorite electronics (cell phone?) store, Radio Shack, now lists the item as "In stock" for website and phone orders. The word I’m getting is that it isn’t in stores quite yet though.

Interestingly enough, the image on Radio Shack’s page shows a Microchip logo with the logo for "InControl" and "Easy C", both of which I can’t find any information about on Microchip’s website. I’m assuming it’s some sort of C compiler for a PIC based processor.

I don’t currently have a Vex kit, so someone buy the programming kit and let me know how it is.