New components

New components

The Radio Shack Vex Robotics Development System has been enhanced with new components. The ones that we have acquired are described and pictured below.

As of 09-28-05, we have finally received the Vex Robotics Programming Kit (276-2152, $99.99). We have worked with it just a little, and like what we see.

The licensing is for single station use only, and we wish to give all of our team members as much coding experience as possible. This product really needs site/team licensing, and we have passed this feedback to Intelitek and Radio Shack.

As of 10-08-05, we have obtained all four of the new sensor kits that are listed on the Radio Shack website.

The Vex Optical Shaft Encoder Kit (276-2156, $19.99) measures shaft rotations (indirectly measuring robot motion on its wheels).
The Vex Line Tracking Kit (276-2154, $39.99) includes 3 combined IR emitter/detectors, for efficient line tracking (left, center, right).
The Vex Light Sensor Kit (276-2158, $19.99) is a photocell light detector, which would can be used for light and color detection.
The Vex Ultrasonic Range Finder Kit (276-2155, $29.99) is an ultrasonic emitter/detector, which can sense distance to an object when pulsed.

Over time, starting in August, we obtained the new mechanical kits for the Vex system.

The Omni-Directional Wheels Kit (276-2165, $19.99) seem to be a great choice as pivot wheels for two-wheel drive robots. The traction is questionable for driven wheels, but ease in turning with un-powered wheels is excellent.
The Sprocket and Chain Kit (276-2166, $29.99) will allow much more freedom in motor placement (center of gravity issues), as well as more efficient power trains by avoiding lines of gears. The chain links can be clicked together for any length (no single master link).
The Tank Tread Kits (276-2168, $29.99) are great fun, although accuracy in autonomous operation would be questionable. The treads can be clicked together for any length (no single master link).