Stuck for an unusual gift this Valentine’s Day?  Why not check out the range of HEXBUGS and send your man a ‘Love Bug’ gift he won’t mind displaying on his desk at work.

The HEXBUG is a robotic creature that can feel its way around sensing objects in its path and avoiding them.  It can ‘hear’ and be controlled by you through a hand clap or loud noise; the sound will literally stop them in their tracks and change direction.

Available in five different shapes and colours – which one best describes your Valentine?

·        Orange (Alpha) – the colour of happiness, creativity and attraction

·        Green (Bravo) – the colour of harmony, fertility and peace

·        Blue (Charlie) – the colour of stability, loyalty and faith

·        Black (Delta) – the colour of elegance, mystery and sophistication

·        Red (Echo) – the colour of passion, desire and love

They make a fun Valentine’s Day gift and make a welcome change from chocolates and cuddly toys!  Buy today at http://www.hexbug.com/original

GREENVILLE, Texas – (Business Wire) Innovation First International, a global leader in educational and competitive robotics products and consumer robotics toys, today unveiled the HEXBUG Nano – a tiny, 1.75 inch energetic micro robotic bug that uses the physics of vibration and robotic intelligence to skitter along and explore its environment on smooth surfaces.

Planned as a series for collectors, the first release is the Nano Newton Collection of five unique bugs for kids 3 years old and up, and is now available for $7.99 each at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com, RadioShack and online at www.hexbug.com/nano. Additionally, Toys“R”Us is exclusively offering the HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set, which allows users to configure customizable mazes for the industrious creatures.

HEXBUG Nano fanatics interested in the lore of science and discovery can visit www.handandstars.com to earn points by answering science quiz questions, register their collection using the unique serial numbers included inside each test tube style package, and achieve global status and prestige in an online game that requires players to use scientific principles to build their own virtual Nano.

“HEXBUG Nano fascinates children and adults alike with its lifelike behavior while it exposes them to concepts such as cause-and-effect, momentum, center of gravity and randomness,” said Joel Carter, vice president, marketing, Innovation First International. “The Nano is also the first generation of HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures that is collectible and extends the user experience online with a world that reinforces the fun and fascination behind science and discovery through a variety of online challenges and game-play.”

Powered by a tiny motor and 12 fixed, angular legs, the industrious insect switches direction upon coming into contact with an object in its path, and possesses an uncanny sense of balance, flipping to its feet when turned on its back. Continuing to pay homage to its scientific heritage, the HEXBUG Nano family will include five unique collections, each named after an accomplished scientist. Each collection will include five distinct series, representing key scientific discoveries realized during the time period of its collection. For example, the Newton Collection, available today, includes Gravity, Orbit, Motion, Calculus and Refraction as its five series. Each Series includes five individual bugs, some of which are common while others are very rare, so collectors will need to be on the lookout for certain high point value creatures. There are also extremely rare bugs known as Mutations, which will appear from time to time. Additional collections and series will be unveiled in 2010.

HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures meet the most stringent safety regulations put into action by the new CPSIA law, designed with the underlying intention of protecting children and the environment from poisonous products.

About Innovation First International

Innovation First International, 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, education and toy markets. The company’s award winning Vex Robotics Design System, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures and IFI Robotics span the education, consumer and business-to-business markets. In 2007, the company launched www.RobotEvents.com, an online portal dedicated to the advancement of educational and competitive robotics, which provides comprehensive information on the latest robotics competitions, educational workshops and information for teachers and mentors. The company also created the VEX Robotics Competition in 2007, designed to give a diverse group of students the chance to celebrate their accomplishments and share their passion for robotics with each other. 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. In 2009 the company added offices in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom to better serve the global marketplace. With an advanced in-house metal fabrication plant, distribution center, and corporate office located together in a 13 acre complex in Greenville, Texas, the company is poised to continue on a rapid growth path. Please visit www.innovationfirst.com for additional information.

Innovation First, Inc. Ramps Up Production Line for Worldwide Distribution

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Innovation First, Inc., an industry leader in consumer robotics toys as well as educational and competitive robotics products, today introduced the HEXBUG Ant – a speedy six-legged micro robotic creature with razor-thin, long tactile antennas and hooked claws. The ultra-engaging HEXBUG assortment is on display this week at the Jacob A. Javits Convention Center at the New York International Toy Fair 2009.

The industrious critter features front and rear touch sensors that allow it to maneuver around objects in its path and wheel-legs that propel it ten times faster than any other HEXBUG. Featuring an inner body loaded with robotic guts protected by a hard, transparent exoskeleton casing, the HEXBUG Ant is the latest autonomous creature to join the family of Inchworm, Crab and first generation creepy crawlers. Available in five colors, the HEXBUG Ant will be introduced in April 2009 exclusively at RadioShack stores across the US.

“HEXBUG creatures provide hours of fun while introducing kids to the world of robotics,” said Joel Carter, vice president marketing of Innovation First. “Our debut of the HEXBUG Ant is testament to the popularity of the brand and now, we are expanding beyond our global reach into Canada, Japan, Australia, and Asia by adding distribution in the UK and European Union.”

First introduced in 2007, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures measure just six centimeters long. Beyond the HEXBUG Ant, the portfolio includes:

• The HEXBUG Inchworm ($19.99) is the first micro creature with Infrared (IR) remote control steering. The user can direct its looping type body movements forward, backward, left and right on either of two bands which allow two Inchworm creatures to operate at once.
• The HEXBUG Crab ($14.99) looks and functions like a tiny crab from the ocean floor, walking sideways and stopping to hide in the dark thanks to its on-board light sensor. The Crab’s movement can be controlled through its sound sensor by clapping to scare it from its dark hiding place or send it backtracking in a different direction in the light.
• The HEXBUG Original ($9.99) will change direction in reaction to loud sounds and physical objects in its path. There are five unique members of the HEXBUG Original family, customized with their own name, shape and vibrant color.

The HEXBUG Micro Robotic product line meets the most stringent safety regulations put into action by the new CPSIA law, designed with the underlying intention of protecting children and the environment from poisonous products.

Retail stores and chain merchandise buyers can procure Innovation First products by visiting the company’s wholesale Web portal tailored to service merchandise buyers with small and medium sized retail stores and chains. After setting up a reseller account online, buyers may log on to www.wholesale.innovationfirst.com and make wholesale purchases using a company credit card or, after establishing a credit history, Purchase Order. Users may specify shipping addresses including direct shipments to third party locations.

In addition to developing its product line and wholesale Web portal, the company has launched several online resources for the advancement of the robotics industry, including www.RobotEvents.com, which provides comprehensive information on the latest robotics news, blogs, competitive events, educational workshops and information to enthusiasts.

Note to editors: Booth #3037

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, toy, competition and education markets. The company’s award winning Vex Robotics Design System, 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 www.innovationfirst.com for additional information.

Toy Fair 2009 Press Release (PDF)

NEW YORK – February 18, 2008 – Robotics toys are taking over the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City during the 2008 New York International Toy Fair, February 17 – 20 as Innovation First, Inc. debuts a new line-up of innovative toys sure to wow and amaze children of all ages. The Company will showcase its existing robotics line-up and new consumer robotic toys during Toy Fair at booth #5913.

Press Release – 02.18.2008