Details of FTC Kit

Special thanks to Dave Parker for taking some great closeup photos of the new FTC kit (I'm a very poor photographer - just not my thing) that I'm including here. My one photo of the kit was too blurry for use. Be sure to read Dave Parker's post (right below this one) for more details about the kit and the competition design.

Anyway, as you can see, you get about 100+ aluminum parts (I believe the name they are giving to these components is Tetrix, but don't hold me to that). In addition, you get the NXT Education Base Set, 3 software packages (NXT-G, RobotC, and NI LabView), 2 Li-Ion battery packs, 8 wheels (2 different sizes), numerous gears (some about 1/4" thick), remote control, 8 motors (2 distinct types), 5 NXT sensors, special connectors for connecting Technic to Aluminum (see photo), and 2 special devices from HiTechnic that connect the electronics to the Brick.

The price that I was given is $900 and I was told orders would be taken starting in May and deliveries of kits in September.

Regarding use of VEX kits - there were LOTS of conversation in the pit area and the LEGO Ed booth, but I was not able to get an official answer from LEGO or FIRST on this issue; I heard from other sources, but I would prefer to get an official answer on that issue and will try and do so this week.

The Tetrix pieces are very strong - and the variety is awesome. They've developed a really nice little hole pattern that gives a LOT of flexibility for connecting Tetrix AND Technic pieces as many angles. They have a special name for the little piece that allows connection between the two but I cannot seem to recall it (another item for my To Do list). This piece is required because, as I understand it, the law of the land is "LEGO pieces shalt not touch its unpure metal brethren" (Yes, that's the exact words of the loud voice I heard booming in the LEGO booth - jk).

Speed? Well, Steve Hassenplug has a video that I hope he'll be sharing soon but if not I've got the low-quality video that I'll see about posting that shows some of its maneuverability and speed. It'll go.

I have to say, it's very cool to see an NXT Brick sitting on top of a medium sized metal robot - and the various robot designs I saw (about 10 or so) were all different and demonstrated that designers aren't going to get stuck with a limited range of chassis forms.

Finally, I did see a small picture of the version of the kit that will be available to the general public - it doesn't come with the NXT Ed Base Set and it has fewer Tetrix parts, but the price is also lower, I believe. Software is also not included now that I think about it. (It truly was information overload and this blogger will try and get better about taking notes in a notebook in the future - but it really does feel like being a kid in a candy store and attention spans go to zero with all the displays and conversations going on.)

Some of my questions which I don't have answered yet but will try and get some:

1. Will the HiTechnic Prototype Board be allowed so students can create their own sensors? (Probably not, but it would bridge the gap between FLL and FRC, you think?)

2. Will VEX be phased out slowly or discontinued in FTC altogether?

3. What types of expansion packs will be available and costs? (I am 95% certain I saw and heard about an expansion pack but let me confirm.)

Got more questions? Post them as comments here and I'll see about finding some answers this week.

Jim

Pictures from 2008 FIRST Championship

I have posted several snapshots from my trip to the 2008 FIRST Championship, including the FLL World Festival, FTC Championship, new FTC Showcase, and FRC Championships here.

FYI: FTC Q&A at WCC on THUR

While at World Festival, I've been given the opportunity to snap pictures, take video, and ask questions galore... about FTC.

So, help me out here, dear readers... I can't imagine all the questions you've got about the changes to FTC as well as the new product, so post them here and I'll collect them and take with me... and post answers as soon as I can.

And PLEASE keep it civil... I know there's a LOT of "debate" about these changes, but let's keep the questions polite.

New FTC information

For those of you following the recent news about changes to FTC, the blog has been updated with some additional information on the sensors and more. Read about it here.

I get the impression that there's not a lot of finalized answers just yet about the final "kit," whatever form it may take. There's also been no official word (that I can find) about whether VEX will still be allowed in the competition. There is mention that 12 teams will be demonstrating the new product at World Festival in April and those of us from the blog who will be in attendance will do our best to get pictures and more information.

More details on NXT and FTC

Some more information was made available over at http://www.firsttechchallenge.blogspot.com/ regarding how the NXT will be used in the FTC challenge - looks like HiTechnic is developing something specifically geared towards bridging the NXT and more advanced servos (and sensors).

Right now, the big discussion seems to be centering on teams having to purchase new equipment (and more expensive, apparently). There doesn't seem to be a firm answer on whether VEX will still be supported (allowed) in FTC competition.

NXT in FLL... now also in FTC!

The news is out - the NXT will be part of a new robot platform/product to be used in the FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC). Previously using the VEX platform, recent changes have been made that will allow teams to use the NXT Brick plus some very special hardware being developed just for the kit - read about it here.