{"id":496,"date":"2023-06-04T19:44:16","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T02:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/?page_id=496"},"modified":"2026-06-14T21:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T04:40:35","slug":"session-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/session-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Session 8"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>Prev<\/span><\/span>Session 7<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tSession 9<\/span><\/span><\/i>Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Session 8: Robot Rules<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This section lists the main rules and requirements for the design and construction of a “competition legal” robot<\/b>.\u00a0 Robots must meet all of these criteria to pass inspection <\/b>prior to the beginning of each tournament.\u00a0 This list is just a summary.\u00a0 There is significantly more detail for each of these rules listed in the game manual<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Robot<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

<R1><\/span>\u00a0Each team can have only one robot<\/b>.\u00a0 You will make changes to this robot throughout the season.<\/p>

<R2> <\/span>Your robot must pass inspection <\/b>before being cleared to compete.<\/p>

<R3><\/span>\u00a0Robots must fit in an 18″ x 18″ x 18″<\/b> volume, checked with the official VEX sizing tool.<\/p>

<R4><\/span> Team numbers must be displayed on robot license plates<\/span>.\u00a0 The plates must be placed on at least 2 horizontally opposing sides (not the top).<\/p>

<R5><\/span> The robot must let go of scoring objects<\/span> after the match (without requiring the robot to have power after a match).<\/p>

<R6><\/span> Robots must use only one VEX V5 brain<\/span>.<\/p>

<R7><\/span> The on\/off power button<\/span> on the V5 brain or battery connection<\/b> must be accessible without moving or lifting the robot.\u00a0<\/p>

<R8><\/span>\u00a0Teams must use VEXos version 1.1.5 or newer firmware<\/b>.<\/p>

<R9><\/span> A “Competition Template”<\/span> must be used in your program with “when started<\/span>,” “when driver control<\/span>,” and “when autonomous<\/span>” sections<\/p>

<R10><\/span> Motors <\/span>are limited and the total combined power cannot exceed 88W.\u00a0 VEX sells both 11W and 5.5W motors and they can be used in any combination.<\/p>

<R11><\/span>\u00a0Drivetrain\u00a0<\/b>Motors <\/span>are limited and the total combined power cannot exceed 55W.\u00a0 These motors cannot provide power to any mechanism not a part of the drivetrain.<\/p>

<R12><\/span> Robots can only use one V5 battery<\/span> to power the V5 Brain.\u00a0 (You can use a rechargeable battery pack plugged into the V5 controller during a match.)<\/p>

<R13><\/span> Robots must use the VEXnet<\/span> system for wireless communication.<\/p>

<R14><\/span> The V5 radio<\/span> should be mounted so that no metal surrounds the radio symbol.\u00a0 This will help prevent robot communication issues.<\/p>

<R15><\/span> One or two controllers <\/span>can be used to control a single robot.<\/p>

<R16><\/span> Robots are built from the VEX V5 <\/span>system using only official VEX V5 components (unless specifically noted within these rules). You can check the\u00a0V5 Competition Legal Parts List<\/a>.<\/p>

<R17><\/span> New VEX parts<\/span> released during the competition season are considered legal unless otherwise noted.<\/p>

<R18><\/span>\u00a0Some materials are prohibited. Robots must be safe<\/span>. They should not have mechanisms that could damage field elements, scoring objects, or other robots. No 3D printed parts.<\/p>

<R19><\/span>\u00a0Certain non-VEX parts<\/b> are allowed (non-aerosol-based grease for lubrication, hot glue to secure cables, 1\/4″ diameter or smaller string, bundling material for cables and pneumatic tubing, rubber bands, zip ties, anti-slip drawer liner…).<\/p>

<R20><\/span> Custom V5 smart cables<\/span> can be built with non-VEX connectors as long as official smart cable stock is used.<\/p>

<R21><\/span> A limited amount of tape <\/span>can be used to secure wires, label, decorate.<\/p>

<R22><\/span> Certain non-VEX fasteners<\/span> can be used (screws up to 2.5″ long, shoulder screws, nuts, washers, standoffs, spacers).<\/p>

<R23><\/span>\u00a0Non-functional decorations<\/b> are allowed as long as they don’t affect robot performance.<\/p>

<R24><\/span> A limited amount of non-shattering plastic<\/span> (up to 0.070″ thick) can be used. Robots are limited to 12 individual pieces no larger than 4″x8″. These include polycarbonate (lexan), delrin, acetron GP, POM, ABS, PET, nylon, and polypropylene.<\/p>

<R25><\/span> Pneumatics <\/span>are limited to a maximum of 2 VEX pneumatic air reservoirs charged to a maximum of 100 psi.<\/p>

<R26><\/span>\u00a0The VEX Pressure Gauge<\/b> is required if your robot uses pneumatics.<\/p>

<R27><\/span> Most modifications to non-electrical components<\/span> are allowed.<\/p>

<<\/span>R28><\/span>\u00a0No modifications can be made to electronic or pneumatic components<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Assignment:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Go to the\u00a0V5RC Drive Team Training Course<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and complete the\u00a0Unit 5 Quiz<\/span>.<\/p>

If you miss any of the questions, now is the time to figure out why.\u00a0 Look back through the rules and the information listed in this session for clarification.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>Prev<\/span><\/span>Session 7<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tSession 9<\/span><\/span><\/i>Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Session 8: Robot Rules This section lists the main rules and requirements for the design and construction of a “competition legal” robot.\u00a0 Robots must meet all of these criteria to pass inspection prior to the beginning of each tournament.\u00a0 This list is just a summary.\u00a0 There is significantly more detail for each of these rules […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-496","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-advanced"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=496"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2256,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/496\/revisions\/2256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smithlearning.com\/vex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}