Grant Imahara and Robot Select Chembot as First Place Winner ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., July 17
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Revell, marketer of the
VEXplorer robotics system, in partnership with Robot magazine, Innovation
First and SolidWorks Corporation, is pleased to announce the winners of the
first-ever Grant Imahara VEXplorer challenge offering contestants the
opportunity to demonstrate their robotics creativity. Grant Imahara, star of
the popular Discovery Channel's Mythbusters television show, and Robot
magazine selected Gustavo Gorektin's "chembot" as the first place winner.
Gustavo, from Hollywood, FL, received a $5,000 college scholarship and other
prizes for his creativity and execution. Gustavo's "chembot" performs science
experiments, removing the risk of humans being hurt by potential hazardous
results.
Jared Schwarz and Tom Lundberg took second place with their "quadripedal
walking dinosaur" that can let you explore places you might not want to go.
This robotics team from Bloomfield, MI just might have what it takes for the
next generation of Animal Planet entertainment.
In a very tight competition, ten third place winners were also selected
for creating VEXplorer-based robots that included a ladder climbing robot that
fetches tools for the laborer, a ball throwing robot to play catch with, a
cleaning robot to assist with household chores, and a hostage rescue robot to
aid the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Third Place Winners
Eric Hoag: Pivoting Foot Robot
Eric Change: Cleaning Robot
Peter Campbell: Pole Crawling Robot
Eric Diehr: Ladder Climbing Robot
Kim Pavolic: Ball Throwing Robot
Robert Brik: Scissor Grip Robot
Clay Rayment: Hostage Rescue Robot
Amanda Bassett: Ball Picking Robot
Ethan Porter: Skycam Robot
Cody Smith: Pallet Climbing Robot
"Selecting the contest winners was very challenging as the creativity and
effort of each contestant was highly evident in their unique designs," said
Grant Imahara, star of Discovery Channel's Mythbusters television show.
"It was an honor to get a closer look at all the fun today's robot
enthusiasts are having with VEXplorer," said Mike Brezette, Revell marketing
vice president. "Their ability to construct variations of VEXplorer in such a
creative manner was extremely impressive. These are wonderful examples of
American students engineering ability."
VEXplorer is available at toy and discount merchandise retailers including
Toys "R" Us, and Fred Meyer, as well as at hobby stores across the nation.
Online toy, hobby, discount merchandise and consumer electronic retailers
include: amazon.com, target.com, toysrus.com, fredmeyer.com, walmart.com,
hobbytownusa.com, towerhobby.com, greatplanes.com, compusa.com,
discoverthis.com, etoys.com, museumtour.com, vexrobitcs.com,
hammackerschlemmer.com, and revell.com. The suggested retail price for
VEXplorer is $199 (USD)*.
VEXplorer is an extension of the popular Innovation First, Inc. VEX
Robotics Design System already embedded in the education system across the
country. For more information on VEX curriculum, visit
http://www.VEXRobotics.com.
* VEXplorer Plus with additional accessories is sold at MuseumTour.com and
HammackerSchlemmer.com at a suggested retail price of $299.
All VEXplorer Robot Contest Challenge winners' videos may be viewed at
http://www.vexrobotics.com.
Revell VEXplorer Features:
-- 27 MHz Control System
-- 2.4GHz Video Camera System
-- "Spycam" color camera with sound lets you control action from a TV
screen
-- A claw precise and strong enough to pick up a feather or grip a filled,
12-ounce soda can
-- All-terrain wheels
-- Modular construction adding up to over 300 parts allowing for
individualized design
-- SolidWorks Student Design Kit software to create various configurations
on a computer before building unit
About Revell
Revell, a Hobbico company, has been leading the model kit building
industry for more than 60 years with products that provide interactivity,
authenticity and fun. Revell's product lines are consumer and hobby robotics,
model kits including cars, trucks, ships and planes, R/C vehicles, and slot
cars. Visit http://www.Revell.com.
About Robot magazine
Robot is a bi-monthly magazine that brings the world of robotics to
hobbyists, students, educators, and mainstream consumers who are curious about
the latest developments on the new frontiers in robotics. Robot offers
detailed kit reviews, home DIY projects, broad news coverage and breaking
developments in educational robotics and school based competitions.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. company, develops and
markets software for design, analysis and product data management. It is the
leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing
software that helps them design better products. For the latest news,
information or a live online demonstration, visit http://www.SolidWorks.com or
call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
About Innovation First, Inc.
Innovation First, http://www.InnovationFirst.com, was incorporated in 1996
and is a privately held enterprise. The company was founded on the belief that
innovation very early in the design process is necessary to produce simple and
elegant product designs. Developer of the Vex Robotics Design System,
Innovation First began producing electronics for unmanned mobile ground robots
and is an industry leader in the hobby, competition, education and toy
markets.
SOURCE Revell
