Starting a VEX team

Todd Rathier – MentorLeominster High School Devil Dawgs

Robotics

Credits:

Adapted from Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Academy

Pictures and prices from VexRobotics.com

Step by Step – Step 1oWhy become involved with VEX?

• Reinforce or teach math concepts• Engineering concepts• Programming• Teamwork• Problem solving• Competition

What is Vex?

Structural

Motion

Motion - Pneumatic

Sing

leD

oubl

e

Sensors

Power

Logic

Control – Accessories 75mhz

Control – Accessories VEXnet

Software

Equipment

Step 2A - HardwareoWhat do I start with?

• Autonomous versus Driver Control• Types of controllers

Signal Splitter – no controller requiredPIC Controller – older versionCORTEX Controller – brand new

• Types of controls75 MHz Transmitter & ReceiverVEXnet Joystick – brand new

Signal Splittero No programmingo Takes 7.2V VEX batterieso Runs up to 6 PWM devices

o Motorso Servos

Protobot Robotic Kit = $199.99

PIC Controller• Wireless with the 75MHz receiver and

transmitter • Microchip user processor • (8) Motor ports • (16) Digital I/O, Analog In • (6) Interrupt I/O • (1) Serial Port • Programmable

• easyC• ROBOTC or MPLAB

Starter PIC Bundleso Radio Control Starter Bundle - $299.99

• Driver mode only – no PIC controller• Includes 75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver

o Autonomous Control Starter Bundle - $319.99• Autonomous mode only – PIC controller• No 75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver

o Dual Control Starter Bundle - $419.99• Autonomous and driver mode• 75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver included• PIC controller included

• (1) Protobot Robot Kit (1) PIC Microcontroller V0.5 • (1) Transmitter & Receiver (1) Servo • (1) Bumper Switch Kit (1) Limit Switch Kit • (1) Advanced Gear Kit (1) Tank Tread Kit • (1) Sprocket & Chain Kit (1) 3-wire Cable Bundle • (1) Inventor's Guide • (1) Booster Kit w/ Additional Metal, Gears & Hardware • (1) 7.2v Robot Battery and Charger • (1) 9.6v Transmitter Battery and Charger • (1) Autodesk VEX Curriculum

• (1) Full License of Autodesk Inventor (4 – pack or 8 pack)• (1) Crystal Set A* (4 pack only)• (1) Crystal Set B* (8 pack only)

Classroom LAB PIC Bundles

Classroom LAB PIC Bundleso Base Kit - $699.99

• 4 pack - $2999 or $749.75 each• Includes one seat of Inventor• Includes Crystal Set A

• 8 pack - $5799 or $724.88 each• Includes one seat of Inventor• Includes Crystal Set B

o Add Programming• EasyC - 1 seat - $74.99 10 seats - $250.00• RobotC - 1 seat - $74.99 12 seats - $500.00

o Programming Bundle – only 1 required• Cable and adapters - $49.99

(1) Metal & Hardware Kit (1) Tank Tread Upgrade Kit (1) High Strength Sprocket & Chain Kit (1) High Strength Gear Kit (2) 4" Omni-Directional Wheel (2) Linear Slide (1) 3-Wire Motor (2) Rack Gear Brackets (1) Latex Tubing (20) Rubber Band (4) Rubber Links (2) Hinges

Competition Upgrade Kit $269.99

CORTEX Controller• STMicroelectronics ARM Cortex-M3 user processor • Wireless with built-in VEXnet technology • (8) Standard 3-wire Motor ports • (8) Hi-res (12-bit) Analog Inputs • (2) 2-wire Motor ports • (1) I2C "smart sensor" port • (2) UART Serial Ports • (12) Fast digital I/O ports• Programmable

• easyC v4 for Cortex• ROBOTC for Cortex & PIC

(1) Protobot Robot Kit (1) Cortex Microcontroller (1) VEXnet Joystick (1) Servo (1) Bumper Switch Kit (1) Limit Switch Kit (1) Advanced Gear Kit (1) Tank Tread Kit (1) Sprocket & Chain Kit (1) 3-wire Cable Bundle (1) Inventor's Guide (1) Booster Kit w/ Additional Metal, Gears & Hardware (2) VEXnet USB Adapter Key (1) VEXnet Backup Battery Holder (1) USB A-A Tether Cable (1) 7.2V NiMH Robot Battery (1) Smart Charger w/ North American Power Cord (1) 8-Bay AA/AAA Smart Battery Charger (1) AAA NiMH Rechargeable Battery 6-pack

(1) Autodesk VEX Curriculum (1) Full License of Autodesk Inventor (CAD) *

Classroom LAB Cortex Bundles

Classroom LAB Cortex Bundleso Base Kit - $849.99

• 4 pack - $3599 or $899.75 each• Includes one seat of Inventor

• 8 pack - $6999 or $874.88 each• Includes one seat of Inventor

o Add Programming• EasyC - 1 seat - $74.99 10 seats - $250.00• RobotC - 1 seat - $74.99 12 seats - $500.00

o Programming Bundle – only 1 required• Cable and adapters - $49.99

VEX Classroom Competition School Bundle

"What should I buy?

Why doesn't someone have an 'all-in-one' bundle that contains everything I need?"

This is the perfect bundle for those people. Everything you need to drop a turn-key STEM program into your class in one easy step.

For $4999.00 this kit includes:• (5) Classroom Competition Team Kits • (1) VEX Classroom Competition Field

"Buy 5 kits, and we'll throw in the field for free."

• (1) Crystal Upgrade Kit

Everything you need to build five robots, and everything you need to play Swept Away.

Also includes special VEX for each of your five teams!

Classroom Competition Bundles $999

Step 2B - SoftwareoEasyC

Pros:• Many teams use it• Easy to learn, icon based• Supported by Vex Curriculum

Cons:• Difficult to debug• Complicated behaviors may be difficult

Step 2B – Software (cont’d)oRobotC

Pros:• Good for high school or college students• C-based programming language• Windows based environment• Supported by Robotics Academy online site

Cons:• C-based language is more difficult to learn

Step 3 – Research Resources

ohttp://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu

Contains the full VEX curriculum onlineAlso contains lesson plans

ohttp://www.vexrobotics.com/ohttp://robotevents.com/ohttp://hobbyvex.orgohttp://www.vexfan.comohttp://robomatter.com

Step 4 – TeamsoDecide on size and number of teams

• All work should be done in groups of 2 or 4

• Odd numbers can lead to feeling “left out”

• Groups bigger than 4 have nothing to do

• Classrooms generally work best with 2 to a robot

• First time coaches do well with 8 on a team

• Recruit additional mentors for larger groups

• Establish a handbook and student committee

Step 4 – Teams (cont’d)oDefine Roles• Engineer (Builder)• Software Specialist (Programmer)• Information Specialist (Info finder / Researcher)• Project Manager (Whip-cracker)

o To build leadership and management skills• Rotate students through roles• Assign students to all roles• Hold students accountable for team responsibilities• Unisex teams – boys are autocratic

Step 5 – LogisticsoRobotso ComputersoRoom Size oPractice AreaoParts StorageoNetworkoProjector

Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)oRobotso Robotics Academy recommends 1 robot for

every 2 students. We use 1 to 4.o Computers

o Preferably 1 to a team. Teams will go through many design cycles during software programming especially during tweak time.

oRoom Size o Never enough spaceo Must have build room, programming room,

storage space and drive space

Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)oPractice Spaceo Standard playing field is 12 x 12 feeto Can make do with less

o Parts Storageo Static storage for parts and materialso Mobile storage for competition

oNetworko Software loaded and availableo Backup of programs is key

o Flash drives – multipleo Network backup

Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)oProjectoro Review programmingo Build instructionso Review game videos

Step 6 – BudgetoPlan for expenseso Robots

o Software and Programming Hardwareo Curriculumo Materials and Toolso Parts Storageo Competition Feeso Team uniforms (optional)o Team building activities

o Rock Climbingo Laser Tag

Step 6 – Budget (cont’d)oIncome?o Fundraisers

o School Districto Local Businesseso Local Non-Profit Organizationso Grants

Step 7 – ConnectoConnect with other mentors/teacherso Visit robotic eventso Contact a local established team and see how

they do thingso Numerous forums and blogso Always include a few key students