VEX Robotics Competition
The VEX Robotics Competition is a robotics competition for elementary through university students. It is a subset of VEX Robotics, which is in turn a subset of Innovation First International. The VEX Robotics World Championship, run by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation[2] in April 2018 was named the largest robotics competition in the world by Guinness World Records.[3]
Current season, competition or edition: | |
 | |
| Sport | Robotics-related games |
|---|---|
| Founded | Tony Norman Bob Mimlitch |
| Inaugural season | 2007 |
| No. of teams | Total Registered: 20,000+ VRC: 11,400 VEXU: 300 50+ countries [1] |
| Headquarters | Greenville, Texas |
| Most recent champion(s) | 2019-2020 Champions:
 |
| TV partner(s) | ESPN2 (2016) CBS Sports (2017) YouTube (2020) |
| Official website | VEXRobotics.com RoboticsEducation.org |
There are three divisions of this robotics competition meant for different age groups and skill levels: VEX EDR, VEX U, VEX AI, and VEX IQ. VEX EDR is for middle and high school students, VEX U is for university students, VEX AI is for high schools and university students, and VEX IQ is for elementary and middle school students only. In the competition, students are given a yearly challenge, and must design, build, program, and drive a robot to complete the challenge as best as they can.
The description and rules for the following season's competition are released during the world championship of the previous year. Starting in 2021, the VEX Robotics World Championship will be held in Dallas, Texas each year in mid April.[4]
VEX Robotics Competition (VRC)
VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a robotics competition for middle school and high school students with two different divisions: middle school and high school. In this competition, teams design, build, and program robots to compete at tournaments. Students from Grades 6-12 may participate. At tournaments, teams participate in qualifying matches where two teams vs two teams participate. In the Elimination Rounds, alliances of two teams are selected by the top-seeded teams, and the alliance who wins the finals is the winner of the tournament.[5]
The current challenge is VEX Robotics Competition: Change Up
Rules
Middle and high school students have the same game and rules. The most general and basic rules for VRC VEX Robotics are as follows, but each year may have exceptions.[6]
- Each robot is paired up with one other, and they compete against two other robots. The team colors are red and blue.
- No robot may exceed the dimensions of an 18" cube until the match has begun.
- At the start of the match is a 15-second autonomous period, where all four robots navigate the field entirely by themselves.
- After the autonomous period is the driver control period, which is 1 minute and 45 seconds of manual control of the robot through a handheld controller.
- Blue alliance can't come into the Red alliance's protected area and vice versa.
- Intentionally removing game objects from the field will result in a warning and a disqualification.
Current game: Change Up
VEX Robotics Competition Change Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen below. Two (2) Alliances - one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” - composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in Matches consisting of a fifteen-second (0:15) Autonomous Period, followed by a one-minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Balls and Connecting Rows.
There are 32 balls in total, 16 of each color (red and blue). 2 of each color are an alliance's preloads. Balls can be scored in goals additionally you may score points by connecting rows, this is done by having a row of 3 owned by the same alliance.
Balls may be de-scored by removing it from the bottom of the goal.
If an alliance completes its home row during the autonomous period they will receive one win point. It's the first time in a VEX Robotics Competition that a win point is awarded for an action during autonomous period.
Scoring:
| Ball in a Goal | 1 point |
| Connected Row | 6 point |
| Autonoumous Bonus | 6 points |
Previous games
2019-2020: Tower Takeover[8]
2018-2019: Turning Point[9]
2017-2018: In The Zone[10]
2016-2017: Starstruck[11]
2015-2016: Nothing But Net[12]
2014-2015: Skyrise[13]
2013-2014: Toss Up[14]
2012-2013: Sack Attack[15]
2011-2012: Gateway[16]
2010-2011: Round Up[17]
2009-2010: Clean Sweep[18]
2008-2009: Elevation[19]
2007-2008: Bridge Battle[20]
VEX U
The VEX U level competition is for college and university students. The rules are nearly identical for this division as for the EDR division, but VEX U teams are allowed to take advantage of more customization and greater flexibility than other levels. Also, their robot creation is limited by the need to find effective costs and a restricted development environment in order to model a real-world situation. In addition, in past competitions, Vex U teams needed to create two different complementary robots, one big and one small, and program them to work together to defeat opponent teams.[21]
In the VEX U competition although very similar to VRC EDR competition, has some distinguishable rules to its division. Rather than being limited to an 18" cube, in VEX U you have the availability to go up to a 24" cube. The autonomous period is also extended in competitions to last 45 seconds, where all interaction with robots is strictly prohibited. As a result, the driver control period is shortened to a period of 75 seconds, immediately after the autonomous period.
Starting in the 2016–2017 game Starstruck, rather than having the usual 2-robot vs 2-robot format, VEX U matches would be 1-team vs 1-team. However, this was replaced after the 2017–2018 season In the Zone, and the games since have reverted to the 2-robot vs 2-robot format.[22]
VEX AI
On April 25, VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation announced a new platform of competitions, the VEX AI Competition. The new platforms will be available to high school and college teams.[23]
The competition is fully autonomous and will use an array of new sensors including the Game Positioning System (GPS), AI Vision Sensor, VEX LINK Communications, and a Sensor Fusion Map. Each team will build and program two robots. Teams will be able to 3D print and machine parts. Teams can use custom electronics, and there are no motor quantity limits. This competition is completely separate from the VRC and VEX U Competition.
VEX IQ Challenge
The VEX IQ Challenge, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, provides elementary and middle school students with exciting, open-ended robotics and research project challenges that enhance their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills through hands-on, student-centered learning. A VEX IQ Robotics set is used, with plastic pieces that snap together using pegs, and it is extremely easy to construct a robot. The students use a graphical software to program the robot. There are two parts to the contests: Robot Skills, which is a single robot trying to score as many points as possible, and the Teamwork Challenge, where two robots attempt to work together to complete the same task.[24]
| Current season, competition or edition: | |
 | |
| Sport | Robotics-related games |
|---|---|
| Founded | Tony Norman Bob Mimlitch |
| Inaugural season | 2012 |
| No. of teams | Total Registered: 20,000+
VEXIQ:8,500 50+ countries [1] |
| Headquarters | Greenville, Texas |
| Most recent champion(s) | 2019-2020 Champions:
 .svg.png){kind=small} |
| TV partner(s) | ESPN2 (2016) CBS Sports (2017) YouTube (2020) |
| Official website | VEXRobotics.com RoboticsEducation.org |
Current game
The VEX IQ Challenge - Rise Above
VEX IQ Challenge Rise Above is played on a 6’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.
The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring Risers in the goal.
The details:
There are a total of 27 risers, 9 for each colour (Orange, purple and teal). The object of the game is to maximize your score with your alliance partner by scoring risers in Goals.
Scoring:
| A Base Riser | 1 point |
| A Stacked Riser | 1 point |
| A completed Row | 3 points |
| A Completed Stack | 30 points |
Completed Row – A Row Status. A Completed Row is when all three (3) Goals in the Row have at least one Scored Riser and all Scored Risers in the Row are of uniform color.
Completed Stack - A Goal Status. A Completed Stack is when the Goal is part of a Completed Row and has exactly three (3) Scored Risers. Each Goal can only count as one (1) Completed Stack.
Previous games
2019-2020: Squared Away
VEX IQ Challenge Squared Away is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.
The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring Balls in or on Cubes, and scoring Cubes in Corner Goals or on Platforms.
The details:
There are a total of thirty-five (35) Balls and seven (7) Cubes available as scoring objects in the game. The object of the game is to maximize your score with your alliance partner by scoring Balls in or on Cubes and scoring Cubes on top of Platforms or in Corner Goals.
Scoring:
| Each Ball scored in a Cube | 1 point |
| Each Ball scored on a Cube | 2 points |
| Each Blue and Red Cube placed in their respective Corner Goals | 10 points |
| Each Green Cube placed on a Platform | 20 points |
2018-2019: Next level
The game:
VEX IQ Challenge Next Level is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field configured as seen above. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.
The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring and stacking coloured Hubs in Building Zones, removing Bonus Hubs from the Hanging Structure, and by Parking or Hanging on the Hanging Bar.
The details:
There are a total of fifteen (15) Hubs, plus two (2) Bonus Hubs available as scoring objects in the game. The object of the game is to maximize your score with your alliance partner by scoring Hubs in Building Zones, and by Parking underneath or Hanging from the Hanging Structure.
Scoring:
| Each Low Scored Hub | 1 point |
| Each High Scored Hub | 2 points |
| Each Bonus Hub removed from the Hanging Structure | 1 points |
| Each Low Scored Bonus Hub | 2 points |
| Each High Scored Bonus Hub | 4 points |
| Each robot Parked underneath Hanging Structure | 1 point |
| Each Low Hanging Robot | 2 Points |
| Each High Hanging Robot | 4 Points |
2017-2018: Ringmaster
The game: Ringmaster is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field configured as seen above. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60-second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver-controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by Scoring colored Rings on the Floor Goal and on Posts, by having Uniform Posts, by Emptying Starting Pegs, and by Releasing the Bonus Tray.
Scoring:
| Each Emptied Starting Peg | 5 points |
| Each Ring scored in the low scoring goal | 1 points |
| Each Ring scored on a Scoring Post | 5 points |
| Each Ring scored on a Uniform Scoring Post (All the same color) | 10 points |
| Bonus Tray Emptied | 20 points |
2016-2017: Crossover
The game:
Crossover is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in two additional challenges; The Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible under driver control; The Programming Skills Challenge where one robot scores as many points as possible autonomously, without any driver inputs. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by Scoring Hexballs in their colored Scoring Zone and Goals, and by Parking and Balancing Robots on the Bridge.
The details:
There are a total of twenty-eight (28) Hexballs available as scoring objects in the game. There are two (2) Scoring Zones, sixteen (16) Low Goals, twelve (12) Elevated Goals, and one (1) Bridge on the field.
Scoring:
| Each Hexball Scored in the Scoring Zone | 1 point |
| Each Hexball scored in the Low Goal | 3 points |
| Each Hexball Scored in the Elevated Goal | 5 points |
| Having One Robot Parked on the Bridge | 5 points |
| Having Two Robots Parked on the Bridge | 15 points |
| Having All Robots Parked on a Balanced Bridge | 25 points |
2015-2016: Bank Shot
The game:
BankShot is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in two additional challenges. The Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible under driver control. The Programming Skills Challenge where one robot scores as many points as possible autonomously, without any driver inputs. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by Emptying Cutouts, Scoring Balls into the Scoring Zone and Goals, and by Parking Robots on the Ramp.
The details:
There are a total of forty-four (44) Balls available as Scoring Objects in the game. There is one (1) Scoring Zone, one (1) Goal, one (1) Ramp, and sixteen (16) Cutouts on the field.
Scoring:
| Each Ball Scored in the Scoring | 1 point |
| Each Emptied Cutout | 1 point |
| Each Ball Scored in the Goal | 3 points |
| Having One Robot Parked on the Ramp | 10 points |
| Having Two Robots Parked on the Ramp | 25 points |
2014-2015: Highrise
The game:
VEX IQ Challenge Highrise is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots work collaboratively, as an alliance, to score points in Teamwork Challenge matches of 60 seconds in length. Teams can also participate in two additional challenges. The Robot Skills Challenge, where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible under driver control, and The Programming Skills Challenge, where one robot scores as many points as possible autonomously, without any driver inputs. The object of the game is to attain the highest possible score by Scoring Cubes in the Scoring Zone and by building Skyrises of Cubes of the same color on the Skyrise Bases.
The details:
There are a total of thirty-six (36) Cubes, twelve (12) of each color, available as Scoring Objects in the game. There is one (1) Scoring Zone and three (3) Skyrise Bases on the field. Each Robot (smaller than 13”x19”x15” to start) begins a match on one of two Starting Positions.
Scoring:
| Each Cube Scored in the Scoring Zone | A point value equal to the Highrise Height of the same color as the
Cube (i.e., if a team builds a Highrise of 3 red Scoring Cubes on the Highrise Base, a red cube in the Scoring Zone is worth 3 points.) |
2013-2014: Add it up
The game:
Toss Up is played on a 4’x8’ rectangular field. Two robots compete as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. The object of the game is to attain highest possible Alliance Score by Scoring your Small and Large BuckyBalls into the Floor, Low and High Goals, Filling Scoring Rings, and having robots Hang from Hanging Bar at the end of the Match.
The details:
There are a total of thirty-six (36) Small BuckyBalls and four (4) Large BuckyBalls available as Scoring Objects in the game. There are four (4) Floor Goals, two (2) Low Goals, two (2) High Goals, and four (4) Scoring Rings, as well as a Hanging Bar. Each Robot, shorter than 12” to start, begins a match on one of their Starting Tiles. There are four (4) Floor Goal, two (2) Low Goals, and two (2) High Goals that Robots can Score Objects into. Alliances also earn points for Filling Scoring Rings and having Robots Hanging from the Hanging Bar at the end of the Match.
Scoring:
| A Small BuckyBall Scored in the Floor Goal | 1 point |
| A Small BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal | 2 points |
| A Small BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal | 3 points |
| A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Floor Goal | 3 points |
| A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal | 5 points |
| A Scoring Ring that is Filled | 5 points |
| A Large BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal | 8 points |
| A Robot that is Hanging at the end of the match | 8 points |
2012-2013: Rings-N-Things[26]
The game:
VEX Rings-n-Things is played on a 4 ft x 8 ft field, surrounded by a 3 1/2 inch tall perimeter. There are four goals and eight rings into which teams can score thirty-six balls. The field is divided by the ramp.
The details:
While participating in the VEX Pilot Program – Rings-n-Things, teams will develop many new skills in response to the challenges and obstacles that stand before them. Some problems will be solved by individuals, while others will be handled through interaction with their student teammates and adult members. Teams will work together to build a VEX robot to compete in the World Championship of VEX Robotics. Students come away not only with the accomplishments of building their own competition robot, but also with an appreciation of science and technology and how they might use it to positively impact the world around them. In addition, they cultivate life skills such as planning, brainstorming, collaboration, teamwork, and leadership as well as research and technical skills.
Scoring:
| A Ball Scored in a Low Goal | 1 alliance point |
| A Ball Scored in a High Goal | 3 alliance points |
| A Ball Scored in a Scoring Ring | 2 alliance points; 1 individual point |
| A Robot that is parked at the end of match | 2 alliance points |
| A Second Robot parked at the end of match | 3 alliance points |
VEX Robotics World Championship
Venues:
| Venue | Location | Year/Years |
| California State University Northridge | Los Angeles, California, USA | 2008 |
| Dallas Convention Center | Dallas, Texas, USA | 2009-2010 |
| ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex | Kissimmee, Florida, USA | 2011 |
| Anaheim Convention Center | Anaheim, California, USA | 2012-2014 |
| Kentucky Exposition Center & Freedom Hall (Finals) | Louisville, Kentucky, USA | 2015-2020 * |
| VEX Robotics Headquarters | Greenville, Texas, USA | 2020 ** |
| Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | Dallas, Texas, USA | 2021-2024 |
*The 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[27]
**2020 VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration. This event is only virtual and will have no actual attendees.[28]
The VEX Robotics World Championship brings together qualifying teams from the three VEX Robotics programs; the VEX IQ Challenge (elementary and middle school), VEX Robotics Competition (middle school and high school), and VEX U (college), for a celebration of the robotics community and to crown World Champions. The event is scheduled to be held in Dallas, TX for the 2021-2024 challenges.
A one-hour special version of the 2016 VEX Robotics World Championship aired on ESPN2 in June 2016.[29] CBS aired a one-hour special version of the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship on June 11.[30]
During the VEX Robotics World Championship, a "Parade of Nations" is held in Freedom Hall that includes hundreds of students from more than 30 countries. The students wear costumes from such as Star Wars characters, Iron Man, starfish, etc.[31]
The 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[32] On March 30, 2020 VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation announced they would host the first ever VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration on April 25, 2020. The event will celebrate the accomplishments of all teams and reveal the 2020-2021 VEX Robotics Competition and VEX IQ Challenge.[33] During this event VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation will also host a Fantasy Robotics simulation for all levels in the VEX Robotics Program.[34]
Role in pedagogy
VEX Robotics Competitions have been of interest to educators as a way of stimulating students' interest in hands-on learning. The Department of Engineering and Technology Education at Utah State University has created a Design Academy with a curriculum for teaching skills through participation in a VEX Robotics Competition.[35]
References
- "VEX Robotics VRC Team List". VRC. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "Home". REC Foundation. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- Stephenson, Kristen (May 16, 2018). "Over 30,000 students help to break the record for largest robot competition". guinnessworldrecords. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- "VEX Robotics World Championship". roboticseducation.org. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- "VEX EDR". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- "VEX Current Game Manual". Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- VEX robotics (April 25, 2020). "Game Manual" (PDF). vexrobotics. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- https://www.roboticseducation.org/vrc-history-2019-2020-tower-takeover/
- "VRC History - 2018-2019 - Turning Point". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- "VRC History – 2017-2018 – In the Zone". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- "VRC History – 2016-2017 – Starstruck". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2015-2016 - Nothing But Net". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2014-2015 - Skyrise". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2013-2014 - Toss Up". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2012-2013 - Sack Attack". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2011-2012 - Gateway". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2010-2011 - Round Up". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2009-2010 - Clean Sweep". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- Cox, Grant. "VRC History - 2008-2009 - Elevation". REC Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- "Past Competitions". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- "VEXU". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- "Appendix E - Vex U" (PDF).
- VEX Robotics (April 25, 2020). "The most advanced technology in competitive robotics today". vexrobotics. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- "VEX IQ". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- VEX robotics (April 25, 2020). "Game Manual" (PDF). vexrobotics. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- "Competition History". REC Foundation. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- "2020 VEX Robotics World Championship Canceled". Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. April 6, 2020 https://www.roboticseducation.org/vex-robotics-virtual-world-celebration/. Retrieved April 6, 2020. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - "Robotics program transforms Galveston team into world champs". USA TODAY High School Sports. July 19, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- "Homeschooled students compete in world robotics competition". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- "How the 'Olympics of Robotics' shines a spotlight on girls and minorities in science". TechRepublic. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- "2020 VEX Robotics World Championship Canceled". Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- "2020 VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration". Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- "2020 VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration". Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- Robinson, Trevor P.; Stewardson, Gary A. (October 2012). "Exciting students through VEX Robotic Competitions". Technology and Engineering Teacher. 72 (2): 15–21.