What is VEX?
VEX Robotics Competition is a fast growing elementary school, middle school, and high school competitive robotics program. Globally VEX Robotics has 24,000+ teams from 60 countries. Their robotics programs include both the VEX IQ program (offered to elementary schools and middle schools) and VRC (offered to middle schools, high schools, and universities). Our program does VRC, which uses the EDR systems provided by VEX.
VEX Robotics is presented by Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (a.k.a. REC Foundation). REC Foundation is a non-profit educational organization based in Greenville, Texas.
The mission of VEX Robotics is to create tools that mentors will use to shape the students of today into the problem solving leaders of tomorrow. Thought their programs, they hope to encourage STEM activities and to engage students into problem solving.
The Challenges
Every year since 2007, VRC has offered a new challenge to its students. Though our program only started competing in 2013 (VRC's 7th year), their first game spans all the way back to 2007 with "Bridge Battle." Since then, VEX has offered new challenges to its students every year, all the way to this year's game: Change Up.
2020-2021: Change Up
VEX Robotics Competition Change Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second 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 placing Balls in Goals, and Connecting Rows.
2019-2020: Tower Takeover
VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second 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 placing Cubes in Towers, or scoring Cubes in Goals.
2018-2019: Turning Point
VEX Robotics Competition Turning Point is played on a 12'x12' square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances -- one (1) "red" and one (1) "blue" -- composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second 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 High Scoring or Low Scoring Caps, Toggling Flags, and by Alliance Parking or Center Parking Robots on the Platforms.
2017-2018: In the Zone
VEX Robotics Competition In the Zone is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen-second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Stacking Cones on Goals, by Scoring Mobile Goals in Goal Zones, by having the Highest Stacks, and by Parking Robots.
2016-2017: Starstruck
VEX Robotics Competition Starstruck is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your Stars and Cubes in your Zones and by Hanging Robots on your Hanging Bar.
2015-2016: Nothing But Net
VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your Balls and Bonus Balls in your Lowand High Goals, and by Elevating Robots in your Climbing Zone.
A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2014-2015: Skyrise
VEX Robotics Competition Skyrise is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your Cubes in Floor Goals, on Posts or on your Skyrise, by Owning Posts, and by Building your Skyrise Sections.
2013-2014: Toss Up
VEX Toss Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your colored BuckyBalls and Large Balls into the Middle Zone and Goal Zone, by Stashing your colored BuckyBalls and Large Balls into the Goals, and by Hanging or Hanging With A Ball, at various heights, off your colored Bar at the end of the match.
2012-2013: Sack Attack
There are a total of ninety-eight (98) Sacks and four (4) Bonus Sacks available as Scoring Objects in the game. Most Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while some are available to be loaded prior or during the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are ten (10) scoring areas, five (5) of each color, of varying heights which teams can Score Sacks or Bonus Sacks in. Alliances earn a bonus for having the most Robots of their own color touching their Alliance Starting Tiles at the end of the Match. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2011-2012: Gateway
VEX Gateway is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent Alliance by Scoring Barrels and Balls in Goals, earning Bonus Points and Doubling or Negating Goals.
A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2010-2011: Round Up
VEX Round Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as shown. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by scoring tubes upon goalposts, owning goalposts and by low hanging or high hanging from the ladder. A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2009-2010: Clean Sweep
VEX Clean Sweep is played on a 12'x12' square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one "red" and one "blue" – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent's alliance by moving as many balls as possible onto their side of the field and by "locking up" small balls in the triangular goals.
A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2008-2009: Elevation
Elevation is played on a 12'x12' square field. Two alliances - one "red" and one "blue" - composed of two teams each, compete in each match which consists of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by placing cubes into goals, and by "owning" goals by having the highest cube in a given goal. Points can also be earned by "parking" on the platform or by "controlling" the bonus cube.
A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
2007-2008: Bridge Battle
Bridge Battle is played on a 12'x12' square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one "red" and one "blue" – composed of two teams each, compete in a match. Matches consist of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by placing tennis balls and bonus balls into goals. In addition, an alliance can earn additional points by "parking" robots on either of the two platforms.
A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
