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VEX Robotics Competition (VRC)

Main Idea: VEX is a «global construction kit» for engineers. It is the world’s most popular competition platform, built on the basis of standardized kits. Its philosophy is to provide equal starting conditions for all teams.

What makes it special?

• Standardized Kits: Unlike FRC, where any materials can be used, in VEX, teams build robots only from official VEX components (metal parts, motors, sensors, VEX V5 controller). This makes the competition more affordable and shifts the focus from «who is richer» to «who is smarter.»
• Two Leagues: VEX has two main age leagues:
  • VEX IQ: For elementary and middle school students. Robots are built from colorful plastic parts. Tasks are simpler and often focused on collaboration.
  • VEX VRC (Robotics Competition): For middle/high school and universities. Metal parts and more powerful motors are used, and tasks require complex programming and engineering.
• Global Scale: VEX is a global phenomenon. Thousands of tournaments are held annually in dozens of countries, culminating in the gigantic VEX Worlds Championship, where the best teams from across the planet gather.

What are the robot’s tasks? Just like in FRC, the game changes every year. VRC robots (metal) usually have to perform complex manipulations with objects on the field:

• Collecting cubes, balls, or discs.
• Stacking them in special zones (goals) or building towers from them.
• Shooting discs into «Frisbee golf.»
• At the end of the match, robots often have to perform an additional task, for example, «parking» on a ramp or lifting an ally.

Goal: To make competitive robotics widespread and accessible, and to provide a clear educational path — from the simple plastic VEX IQ kit to the complex metal VRC.