Want to build robots that are RC controlled or even autonomous? VEX is the system for plug ugly (as in Erector Set) but completely open robotics. You buy a base set with a few included plans and launch out from there to your own imagination. Did I mention the results out of the box are UGLY?

You can see VEX videos at http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robot-videos.shtml
these are from the 2005 VEX robotics challenge.

VEX was part of Radio Shack, but it was bought off by Innovation First, Inc. and is now available all around. The Shack, though, still carries them.

The deal with vex is actually FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, along with Innovation First, Inc. and Radioshack made Vex for FIRST robotics teams. Radioshack was hoping to make money off of the product, but since the alliance made Radioshack give some of the profit to further FIRST's goal of education, Radioshack was not making any money from Vex. Radioshack last week pulled out and Innovation First, Inc. took over as the provider of Vex. Innovation First, Inc. already sold their small robot kits on their site, which are compatible with Vex, and they will make more money with Vex as they are the by far now the main provider to FIRST robotics teams. Im on a FIRST team so hear this stuff first hand. Anyways, the plug ugly thing i dont get that much. Its a slightly modified PWM cable, which is used usually for R/C and Robotic Speedcontrollers and motors. If you want a better more technically kit, go to Innovation First, Inc. 's website www.IFIRobotics.com
Go for the small robot controller or contact them for the kit. Its a really nice kit as it has globe motors which PWN, and i mean PWN, the Vex motors. If you want anyhelp with Vex or other stuff just send me a message, ill help you.

-EricRobodox

The "plug ugly" quote refers to the appearance of the robots. Robonova-1, for example, is based on closed structures, whereas VEX products are metal beams punctured full of holes, etc. That's why I recommended you would have to skin your robots yourself. I'm not knocking "Erector Set" constructions; they were a mainstay of my early youth, and I created lots of designs. But they remind me of the appearance differences between say, LEGOS, and their companion product, K'NEX.

Like Mythbusters on TV? Considering VEX robotics kits? The Mythbusters tried VEX out, and they were IMPRESSED! You can read about it at http://www.botmag.com/articles/vex_1.shtml. In a few hours they built a scaled down equivalent of the high tech Packbot used by the military, police, and rescue teams to boldly go where no man can or dares to. Read the story; see the deficiencies they encountered. You will probably be as impressed as they were.

DO THEY STILL SELL THEM, I CANT FIND THEM ANYWHERE