VRC
Welcome to the VRC GitHub Community Wiki! VRC, also known as the VEX Robotics Competition, is an annual robotics competition targeted at students in schools across the world. This section of the Wiki is to help you learn and understand the VEX Robotics Competition by explaining the past knowledge and experience from the VRC sector of the El Segundo High School Robotics Club.
The two current officers are Edwin Kofler and Eli Helmer. Together, we plan to introduce you to the VEX Robotics Competition through the extensive use of interactive activities that put your knowledge to the test.
VRC, also known as the VEX Robotics Competition, is an international company that facilitates VEX robotics competitions. There are three types of Vex Robotics Competitions, each of which are annual and targeted to a different age group.
VEX IQ is targeted to Elementary and early Middle School Students. Robots in VEX IQ are composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) bricks, also known as "Legos"; they have a higher sophistication and interconnectedness than normal "Lego" bricks. VEX IQ ABS "Lego" Bricks are combined in conjunction with one another, along with movable parts and a central computer to create a VEX IQ robot. Programs are written through the use of a simplified version of RobotC. Neither El Segundo Elementary School nor El Segundo Middle School participates in the VEX IQ competition. The photographs below show the similar look of VEX IQ parts.
| VEX IQ Bumper Switch | VEX IQ Ultrasonic Sensor | VEX IQ LED Light | VEX IQ Motor | VEX IQ Robot |
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VEX EDR is mainly targeted to Middle School and High School Students. Robots in VEX EDR are composed of metal beams, each of which are connected together through the use structural support, which includes but is not limited to screws, bolts, nuts, nyloc nuts, gussets, and beams. The metal beams and parts, similar to VEX IQ ABS Bricks, are manufactured for the sole purpose of the competition. The gamut of usefulness of VEX EDR parts substantially surpasses those of VEX IQ Parts partly because VEX EDR parts can be harnessed more effectively by High Middle School Students (7-8) and High School Students rather than Elementary School Students and Low Middle School Students (6). Dynamic mechanical parts and sensors of VEX EDR are more realistic to industry than mechanisms of a similar function on VEX IQ; however, the continuity of VEX EDR parts compromises its real-world form. The photographs below shows the similar look and feel of the parts. The shades of red, green, grey, and light black are easily identifiable to the VEX EDR competition, distinctly different in shape and color to the VEX IQ and VEX Pro parts. El Segundo High School currently participates in the use of VEX EDR parts; however, El Segundo Middle School does not.
| VEX EDR Bumper Switch | VEX EDR Ultrasonic Sensor | VEX EDR LED Light | VEX EDR Motor (393) | VEX EDR Robot |
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VEX PRO is designed for High School Students and higher education. Similar to VEX, the frame is composed of metal; however, the metal is stronger and more durable. The various static and dynamic VEX PRO parts are the most similar to equipment used in contemporary STEM fields, compared with VEX EDR and VEX IQ. Photographs of VEX PRO Equipment can be seen below this paragraph. The parts do not exactly match up with VEX EDR and VEX Pro parts, but there are some similarities in the functioning of the presented parts. El Segundo High School does not participate in the VEX PRO competition; however, the school does participate in the First Robotics Competition (FRC), which has structural support systems and advanced movement capabilities most similar to VEX PRO.
| VEX PRO Motor (Sim) | VEX PRO DC Motor | VEX Wheel, Gear, and Motor (3D Render) | VEX PRO Robot |
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In the three various competitions, students learn how to use life-long skills that are not important in just STEM based activities, but activities that are across all disciplines. Such skills include
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Communication
- Beams
- Gussets
- Attachments
- Wheels
- Motors
- Servos
- Gears
- Sprockets and Chain
- Tank Tread
- Shafts
- Light Sensor
- Line Sensor
- Bump Switch
- Limit Switch
- Ultrasonic Sensor
- Potentiometer
- Flashlight
- Battery
- Motor Controllers
- LED