VEXplorer Robot Challenge Winners Announced

        Grant Imahara and Robot Select Chembot as First Place Winner



    ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., July 17 /EMWNews/ -- 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.