Panteras UP: marzo 2008

Introducing Our New Hardware.Due to overwhelming demand from customers, we've created yetanother new part for the VEX Robotics Design System.However, it is not for sale.

The only way to get this rare item is to earn it through competition. When we created the VEX Bridge Battle game and offered it for free on our website, we never imagined that events would spring up all over the globe. Much less that event organizers and competitors would insist on a playoff to determine the best in the world.

Now, through the generous support of Autodesk, NASA, two non-profit organizations including FUTURE Foundation, and others, we are pleased to present the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship to be held May 1-3, 2008 on the campus of California State University Northridge in Los Angeles.

If you're concerned about missing your only chance to take home our special new hardware, don't worry. A coalition of partners are launching hundreds of local, state, national, global and even virtual low cost VEX Robotics Competitions.

Visit VexForum.com for more information on future events. For more information on the VEX World Championship event May 1-3, 2008, visit RobotEvents.com.

Perhaps you have what it takes to get your hands on the newest VEX hardware.

Exciting Vex News

Jason Morella

Dear Vex Robotics customers,We’ve received a very high volume of emails and calls asking for updates and news about Vex Robotics. Vex growth has been tremendous this past year, over 300%. We’re thrilled that the Vex Robotics Design System is quickly becoming the platform of choice for middle and high schools, already in over 2,000 schools in North America. We have been working on a number of projects and partnerships that we are very excited about. Our plan has been to share and announce most of the exciting developments, opportunities and news at the Vex Robotics World Championship on May 3rd. However, many of our customers, especially schools, have been requesting more information sooner so they can plan accordingly. One of our company tenets is “listen to and follow the needs of the customer, don’t try to force them to adapt to us”. With that in mind, we feel it’s important to share some of the upcoming news with everyone now instead of waiting until May. So here goes…

1. As many are aware, the first annual Vex Robotics World Championship will be held May 1-3, 2008 at California State University Northridge. This is a global event with nearly 50% of the participating teams coming from outside the United States. Participants already qualified and registered include teams from Brazil, Canada, China, England, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan and throughout the United States. Any teams that won Vex Robotics based competitions such as Vex Bridge Battle, FTC Quad Quandary, and WPI Savage Soccer have qualified for and been invited to the event. There is also a waiting list for any team wishing to participate who may not have competed or qualified at a preexisting event. For more information about the Vex World Championship (game details, event details, hotel info, getting on the waiting list and more), visit http://www.robotevents.com/event.php?eid=333

2. Since teams are telling us they need to know future competition information now to plan for next year, here you go: Drum.....roll.....please......There is a coalition of partners launching a local, regional, national, global and virtual network of Vex Robotics Competitions for schools and teams to participate in annually! There will be many more Vex Robotics tournaments and events available as options next year than this past year. This program is being launched by a number of incredible partners dedicated to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to students and schools around the world. This coalition includes two different non-profit foundations along with many corporate partners and sponsors all focused on providing the best possible high quality, high tech, challenging, accessible, educational, fun and affordable program. Registration will open after the Vex World Championship on May 3rd. Tune in on May 3rd (the event will be webcast) to learn all the exciting details. The network of tournaments around the world will be very large, will continue to grow, will be very cost effective and easier for event organizers to run – providing many more options and opportunities for teams to play and compete with their Vex Robots throughout the United States and around the World. All Vex Robotics Events and Tournaments will be listed at www.robotevents.com

3. Other big news that you'll have to tune in on May 3rd to get all the details about is the launch of a brand new global digital prototyping challenge that will allow students and schools to participate in an online community. One of our main goals is to further break down the various obstacles and hurdles facing many students and schools in various parts of the world so they can participate in engineering, design and robotics. This program will be very low cost, include great prizes and consist of many great categories to enter. The program will be open to all ages, all grade levels, everywhere around the globe. There are some other very compelling aspects to this virtual competition program that we know you’ll love. Look for our official press release in April. We look forward to hearing community feedback once all the details are announced.In closing, it is feedback from our customers that ensures we continually improve, advance and evolve Vex. We want to thank each and every customer of Vex and IFI Robotics. This past year has been another great year of growth, both in education and for competition. However, here’s the best news of all – you haven’t seen anything yet, the best is yet to come!!!

Sincerely,

Jason Morrella

Senior Director, Education and Competition

Innovation First, Inc. and Vex Robotics