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 in April 2018 was named the largest robotics competition in the world by Guinness World Records.
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.

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC)

VEX Robotics Competition 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.
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 are as follows, but each year may have exceptions.
VEX Robotics Competition Change Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen below. Two
Alliances - one “red” and one “blue” - composed of two Teams each, compete in Matches
consisting of a fifteen-second Autonomous Period, followed by a one-minute and forty-five
second 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. 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 Goal1 point
Connected Row6 point
Autonoumous Bonus6 points

Previous games

2019-2020: Tower Takeover
2018-2019: Turning Point
2017-2018: In The Zone
2016-2017: Starstruck
2015-2016: Nothing But Net
2014-2015: Skyrise
2013-2014: Toss Up
2012-2013: Sack Attack
2011-2012: Gateway
2010-2011: Round Up
2009-2010: Clean Sweep
2008-2009: Elevation
2007-2008: Bridge Battle

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.
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.

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 avialble to high school and college teams.
The competition is fully autonomous and will use an array of new sensors including the Game Positioning System, 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 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.

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. The object of the game is to maximize your score with your alliance partner by scoring risers in Goals.
Scoring:
A Base Riser1 point
A Stacked Riser1 point
A completed Row3 points
A Completed Stack30 points

Completed Row – A Row Status. A Completed Row is when all three 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 Scored Risers. Each Goal can only count as one 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 Balls and seven 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 Cube1 point
Each Ball scored on a Cube2 points
Each Blue and Red Cube placed in their respective Corner Goals10 points
Each Green Cube placed on a Platform20 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 Hubs, plus two 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 Hub1 point
Each High Scored Hub2 points
Each Bonus Hub removed from the Hanging Structure1 points
Each Low Scored Bonus Hub2 points
Each High Scored Bonus Hub4 points
Each robot Parked underneath Hanging Structure1 point
Each Low Hanging Robot2 Points
Each High Hanging Robot4 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 Peg5 points
Each Ring scored in the low scoring goal1 points
Each Ring scored on a Scoring Post5 points
Each Ring scored on a Uniform Scoring Post 10 points
Bonus Tray Emptied20 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 Hexballs available as scoring objects in the game. There are two Scoring Zones, sixteen Low Goals, twelve Elevated Goals, and one Bridge on the field.
Scoring:
Each Hexball Scored in the Scoring Zone1 point
Each Hexball scored in the Low Goal3 points
Each Hexball Scored in the Elevated Goal5 points
Having One Robot Parked on the Bridge5 points
Having Two Robots Parked on the Bridge15 points
Having All Robots Parked on a Balanced Bridge25 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 Balls available as Scoring Objects in the game. There is one Scoring Zone, one Goal, one Ramp, and sixteen Cutouts on the field.
Scoring:
Each Ball Scored in the Scoring1 point
Each Emptied Cutout1 point
Each Ball Scored in the Goal3 points
Having One Robot Parked on the Ramp10 points
Having Two Robots Parked on the Ramp25 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 Cubes, twelve of each color, available as Scoring Objects in the game. There is one Scoring Zone and three Skyrise Bases on the field. Each Robot begins a match on one of two Starting Positions.
Scoring:
Each Cube Scored in the Scoring ZoneA point value equal to the Highrise Height of the same color as the
Cube

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 Small BuckyBalls and four Large BuckyBalls available as Scoring Objects in the game. There are four Floor Goals, two Low Goals, two High Goals, and four 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 Floor Goal, two Low Goals, and two 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 Goal1 point
A Small BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal2 points
A Small BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal3 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Floor Goal3 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal5 points
A Scoring Ring that is Filled5 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal8 points
A Robot that is Hanging at the end of the match8 points

2012-2013: Rings-N-Things

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 Goal1 alliance point
A Ball Scored in a High Goal3 alliance points
A Ball Scored in a Scoring Ring2 alliance points; 1 individual point
A Robot that is parked at the end of match2 alliance points
A Second Robot parked at the end of match3 alliance points

VEX Robotics World Championship

Venues:
VenueLocationYear/Years
California State University NorthridgeLos Angeles, California, USA2008
Dallas Convention CenterDallas, Texas, USA2009-2010
ESPN Wide World of Sports ComplexKissimmee, Florida, USA2011
Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California, USA2012-2014
Kentucky Exposition Center & Freedom Hall Louisville, Kentucky, USA2015-2020 *
VEX Robotics HeadquartersGreenville, Texas, USA2020 **
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention CenterDallas, Texas, USA2021-2024

*The 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
**2020 VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration. This event is only virtual and will have no actual attendees.
The VEX Robotics World Championship brings together qualifying teams from the three VEX Robotics programs; the , , and , 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. CBS aired a one-hour special version of the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship on June 11.
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.
The 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. During this event VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation will also host a Fantasy Robotics simulation for all levels in the VEX Robotics Program.

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.