Innovation First Announces Introduction of ROBOTC Programming for VEX Robotics

ROBOTC offers an easy programming language for use with VEX in the classroom
and in robotics competitions

GREENVILLE, Texas, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovation First, Inc., a
leader in educational and competitive robotics products, today announced that
the ROBOTC programming language will now be compatible with their VEX Robotics
Design System. ROBOTC is a C programming language, for engineering,
programming and robotics education, developed by Carnegie Mellon University's
Robotics Academy team.
ROBOTC provides an operating system with multi-tasking support where VEX
users can write robotics programs that allow the robot to perform several
tasks independently. The program also allows users to start, stop and pause
execution of a program directly from their computers. ROBOTC provides
extremely powerful integrated real-time debuggers, which have the capability
to inspect and modify the value of any variable in the end user's program,
helping to eliminate errors and reducing development times.
"Innovation First is pleased to offer the ROBOTC language to C programming
students using the VEX system," said Jason Morrella, senior director of
education and competition at Innovation First. "ROBOTC is an inexpensive
software option for students and teachers looking to implement robotics in
their classroom as well as for VEX users who are developing robots for
competition."
ROBOTC offers educators a training CD containing curriculum, lessons,
examples and "how-to" videos. The language has two settings, 'basic' and
'expert,' for both the novice and advanced C programming student. The ROBOTC
program also unifies the many different robotics programming platforms
available, allowing it to be used with a variety of robotics controllers in
many different competitions. Typically, teams competing in various robotics
tournaments need to master different robotics languages and controllers for
each competition.
"While teaching robotics at the high school level, I saw my students
become frustrated when they had to learn a new programming language every time
we changed controllers," said Robin Shoop, director of the Carnegie Mellon
University Robotics Academy. "At Carnegie Mellon, we believe that developing
a language that talks to multiple controllers will make robotics programming
more accessible to all students."
ROBOTC currently supports the VEX Controller, the FIRST Robotics
Controller, and Mindstorm's RCX and NXT controllers from LEGO. Carnegie
Mellon is currently porting ROBOTC to several other educational robotic
controllers.
In addition to ROBOTC, Innovation First, Inc. offers the easyC(R)v2, easyC
PRO(R) and MPLAB(R) programming languages for VEX. To find out more
information on ROBOTC and the other VEX programming languages available,
please visit http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-programming-kit.shtml.
About Innovation First, Inc.
Innovation First, a privately held corporation, was founded on the belief
that innovation very early in the design process is necessary to produce
simple and elegant product designs. Innovation First began producing
electronics for unmanned mobile ground robots, and is now an industry leader
in the hobby, competition and education markets. The company's award-winning
VEX Robotics Design System, VEXplorer, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures, and IFI
Robotics span the education, consumer and business-to-business markets.
Leveraging the company's core competency in electrical and mechanical
engineering, the RackSolutions division works closely with all major computer
OEMs to provide custom mounting solutions and industry-wide rack compatibility
for data installations of all sizes. With an advanced in-house metal
fabrication plant, distribution center, and offices located together in a 13
acre complex in Greenville, Texas, the company is poised to continue on a
rapid growth path. Please visit http://www.innovationfirst.com for additional
information.
Contact:
Liz Risoldi
GCI Group
lrisoldi@gcigroup.com
310-526-5506

SOURCE Innovation First, Inc.

Liz Risoldi of GCI Group, +1-310-526-5506, lrisoldi@gcigroup.com, for
Innovation First, Inc.