Vex Robotics Class Notes

I am teaching a weekly 1 hour robotics class this year to a wide age range of students. These are my notes.

10/15/2024

• API - https://api.vex.com/
• GO Build Instructions - https://www.vexrobotics.com/go/downloads/build-instructions
• IQ Competition History - https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/categories/9699813620631-Competitions
• Slapshot (IQ) https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9762084197143-VEX-IQ-Robotics-Competition-History-2022-2023-Slapshot
• Demo Video from Vex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfLqX9iOkUA
• Demo Video Slapshot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFcw7fHoskI

10/1/2024

9/24/2024

IQ

• Run freeze tag/soccer competition. Record results.
• Build ClawBot: https://education.vex.com/stemlabs/iq/cube-collector/lesson-1-introduction/build

GO

• Continue to build the Advanced Bot with Scoop: https://www.vexrobotics.com/go/downloads/build-instructions#heroBot
• Work on basic coding with eye sensor and automating the scoop to detect and lift an object.

9/17/2024

• IQ level will begin tracking everything in a team notebook.
• IQ level will be introduced to the first principle from Elon Musk’s Five Engineering Principles.
• IQ level will compete in freeze tag and soccer type games.
• GO will work on building and competing at lift/carry/set races with arms.
• GO can optionally try to block code eye sensor.
• We will talk about sensors and what they are.
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thang010146 - 1000s of mechanical/engineering examples in animated 3D.
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Q9UKoPcv0 - Example of a real world base platform for sale by manufacturer in China. The “Base” bots we are working on are essentially the same thing.

GO

The GO group will be building the Competition Advanced Base. Instructions for these builds can be found here.

1. We will start from scratch with one kit.
2. Another kit has the Competition Base completed and is ready to move to the Advanced version.
3. The third kit is a completed Advanced Base.
4. The youngest can try building an Unpowered Super Car.

Students should get time driving and understanding the drive tab.

The robot they will be using has an eye sensor. They can try writing some block code which makes use of the eye sensor. This is a helpful YouTube video.

Students will learn how to operate the arms on the Advanced Base.

Compete: Teams will then have races to lift objects on and off the trailer and move to a location. Record winners of each race.

The idea for this class are mainly from Lab 1 Village Engineering Construction - See Village engineering construction - Lab 1 and Summary Page for more info.

IQ

This week we will focus on the Weeks 1-5 of the 9 week competition focus.

• Teachers: 9 week competition focus. Click here to find details for weeks 1-5.
• Students: Review how to connect controller. Installing the bumper switch and LED light are probably the hardest part.
• Elon Musk’s Principles of Engineering #1: Make The Requirements Less Dumb “Step one: Make the requirements less dumb. The requirements are definitely dumb; it doesn't matter who gave them to you. It’s particularly dangerous when they come from an intelligent person, as you may not question them enough. Everyone’s wrong. No matter who you are, everyone is wrong some of the time. All designs are wrong, it’s just a matter of how wrong,” explains Musk.

Vex GO Links

• Build Instructions: https://www.vexrobotics.com/go/downloads/build-instructions
• Code: https://codego.vex.com/

Vex IQ Links

• Build Instructions: https://www.vexrobotics.com/iq/downloads/build-instructions
• Code: https://codeiq.vex.com/
• Rapid Relay 2024-2025 Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa0B7kNHpg8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vaDYohm5XM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FsV80h_uAc

Other Links

• Vex VR: https://vr.vex.com/

Class Ideas