VEX Robotics Competition
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 VEXIQ: 8,500 Over 40 countries [1] |
| Most recent champion(s) |
  |
| TV partner(s) |
ESPN2 (2016) CBS Sports (2017) |
| Official website |
www |
The VEX Robotics Competition is a robotics competition from 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 of 2018 was named the largest robotics competition in the world by Guinness World Records.[3]
There are three divisions of this robotics competition meant for different age groups and skill levels: VEX EDR, VEX U, and VEX IQ. VEX EDR is for middle and high school students, VEX U is for 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. Since 2015, the VEX robotics World Championship has been held in Louisville, Kentucky each year in mid April.[4]
VEX Robotics Competition (EDR)
VEX EDR is a robotics competition for middle school and high school students with two different divisions: middle school and high school. In this division, aluminum and steel parts are used, and the robots are built using the VEX EDR Design System. Students from Grades 6-12 may participate. Additionally, while the visual code editor is still available, most students take advantage of VEX's RobotC for their programming. At tournaments, teams participate in qualifying matches where two teams vs two teams participate. In the Elimination Rounds, alliances of three 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: Turning Point
Rules
Middle and high school students have the same game and rules. The most general and basic rules for VEX EDR 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. 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 1:45 seconds of manual control of the robot through a handheld controller.
Current Game: Turning Point
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by High Scoring or Low Scoring Caps, Toggling Flags, and by Alliance Parking or Center Parking Robots on the Platforms. There are eight (8) Caps, six (6) Posts, nine (9) Flags, twenty (20) Balls, two (2) Alliance Platforms, and one (1) Center Platform.
Caps can be Low Scored on the field tiles, or High Scored on Posts, for the Alliance whose color is facing up at the end of the match. Flags can be Toggled to red or blue, and are Scored for the Alliance whose color is Toggled at the end of the match. Low Flags can be Toggled by Robots, but High Flags can only be Toggled by Balls. Turning Point is intended to be a back and forth game, no scored object is safe!
Alliance Platforms can be used for Alliance Parking by Robots of the same color Alliance as the Platform. The Center Platform can be used by Robots from either Alliance for Center Parking. An additional bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
"Scoring"
| Each Low Flag Toggled | 1 point |
| Each High Flag Toggled | 2 points |
| Each Cap Low Scored | 1 point |
| Having Cap High Scored | 2 points |
| Robot that is Allianced Parked | 3 points |
| Robot that is Center Parked | 6 points |
| Autonomous Bonus | 4 Points |
Previous Games
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[8]
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.[9]
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-team vs 2-team format, VEX U matches would be 1-team vs 1-team.[10]
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.[11]
Current Game
The VEX IQ Challenge - Ringmaster
Ringmaster 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; 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 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.
The Details:
There are a total of sixty (60) Rings available as scoring objects in the game. There are seven (7) Posts to score on, one (1) Floor Goal, three (3) Starting Pegs, and one (1) Bonus Tray on the field.
The Scoring:
| Each Ring Scored in the Floor Goal | 1 point |
| Each Ring Scored on a Post | 5 points |
| Each Ring Scored on a Uniform Post | 10 points |
| Each Emptied Starting Peg | 5 points |
| Releasing the Bonus Tray | 20 points |
Previous Games
2016-2017: Cross Over
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[12]
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
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 has been held in Louisville Kentucky since April 2014.
A one-hour special version of the 2016 VEX Robotics World Championship aired on ESPN2 in June 2016.[13] CBS aired a one-hour special version of the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship on June 11.[14]
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.[15]
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.[16]
References
- ↑ "VEX Robotics VRC Team List". VRC. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.roboticseducation.org/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2018/5/over-30-000-students-help-to-break-the-record-for-largest-robot-competition-525746. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "VEX Robotics World Championship". roboticseducation.org. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ "VEX EDR". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ "VEX Starstruck Game Manual" (PDF). Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexedr/competition/vrc-current-game
- ↑ "Past Competitions". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ "VEXU". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Appendix E - Vex U" (PDF).
- ↑ "VEX IQ". Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.roboticseducation.org/competition-teams/competition-history/
- ↑ "Robotics program transforms Galveston team into world champs". USA TODAY High School Sports. 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
- ↑ "Homeschooled students compete in world robotics competition". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
- ↑ "How the 'Olympics of Robotics' shines a spotlight on girls and minorities in science". TechRepublic. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
- ↑ Robinson, Trevor P.; Stewardson, Gary A. (October 2012). "Exciting students through VEX Robotic Competitions". Technology and Engineering Teacher. 72 (2): 15–21.