We recieved out VEXplorer as a Christmas present and upon seeing how pleased we were with it my oldest daughter ordered the optional WRIST Kit for post holiday installation. (Thanks Jessica).
The ordering process from VEXLabs.com was straight and delivery was quick.
The Vex site had the following to say about the "wrist" kit:
"The VEXplorer Wrist Kit will add additional "wrist" joint to the basic VEXplorer robot. By integrating the wrist joint into the VEXplorer arm, the VEXplorer will gain significant dexterity.The VEXplorer Wrist Kit will add additional "wrist" joint to the basic VEXplorer robot. By integrating the wrist joint into the VEXplorer arm, the VEXplorer will gain significant dexterity."
Also, the kit was being offered for a very reasonable $19.99.
It is interesting to note that while the wrist kit is associated as a VEXplorer product (Vex Blue Controler) it as also capable of being added to the more sofisticated VEX Red Controler robots.
Okay! Good news first.
The wrist does substanitially improve dexterity allowing the robot to complete a huge number of stasks that it previously could not. For the non-mechanical and physics mided (like myself) I will attempt to post some pictures which illistrate the point.
We call it the basket problem:
Here we see that the articulation of the wrist allows the arm and gripper to reach over the horivonal edge of the basket and retreive an apple that it would otherwise be un-able to reach. The apple on the right side of the basket represents the level at which the VEXplorer could retrieve prior to the wrist accessory upgrade. The other photes finish out this sequence.
This additional ability to articulate the arm will also allow you to better grab items on shelves and low tables.
Unfortuantly it does introduce a couple of obstacles you will need to be aware of and overcome.
More in Part II of Vexplore Wrist upgrade review.
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