FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®)

FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®)

Edu/Vex Mini-Robot Platforms

Vex

These erector set-style mini-robot kits use smaller cheaper versions of the full-blown FIRST Robotics Competition control systems from 2004-2008. The major operational difference is in the number and configuration of inputs & outputs, and the Vex system uses a hand-held transmitter with a pair of joysticks and four buttons. Vex replaced the Edu system in 2006 and was introduced as part of a new intermediate robotics competition of it's own. Originally, Radio Shack was the marketing outlet for Vex, but reverted to Vexlabs when the Radio Shack business plan changed.
Vex Robotics/Vex Labs sells basic vex kits as well as a multitude of mechanical and sensor add-ons, including a pneumatic system (but no compressor, it's charged witha a hand pump instead).

Sample code for both EDU and Vex

Sample code is located in our Workshops area.
The Vex system can be used to drive a full-sized FRC robot. They will work just fine with victor speed controllers. Spike relays to control motors, air compressor, and solenoid valves are easily handled from digital outputs, since the specialized replay outputs for the FRC are not available.

One note of programming interest is that the "slow" loop, based on the frequency of radio packet transmissions, differs in each system. So if you chose to time events by counting slow loops you must account for the difference when counting and also change it if you port the code from one controller to another.

• Edu - 59 loops/sec
• Vex - 54 loops/sec
• FRC (2004-2008) - 38 loops/sec

• Default Vex Code 2008
• Vex Programming Guide
• Vex competition autonomous mode
• Vex autonomous programming guidelines
• Vex autonomous programming files
• Vex default firmware
• Make your own Vex Competition Controller
• Vex Sensor Test
• Vex master code v7
• ifi_loader v4 for Vex

CMUCam on a Vex

It’s fairly easy to get a CMUCam operating on a Vex platform. The wiring is straight forward and Kevin Watson's CMUCam software was developed on an Edu controller quite similar to the Vex hardware, and indistinguishable from the CMUCAM software perspective.
CMUcam2 on a Vex Controller (, 2.4 MB)




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