The 15-second period at the start of a VEX match where robots operate without driver input,
following pre-programmed instructions.
Auton Win Point (AWP)
A bonus point earned during autonomous by completing specific objectives, critical for ranking in
qualifications.
Alliance
A pair of two teams that compete together during a match. Alliances are red or blue.
B
Brain
The VEX V5 Robot Brain — the central controller that runs your code and manages all connected
devices.
Bumper
A protective element added to the robot to absorb impacts and protect mechanisms during collisions.
C
Clamp
A mechanism used to grab and hold game elements or mobile goals securely.
C-Channel
Standard VEX structural metal available in various sizes, used to build the robot's frame and
mechanisms.
D
Drivetrain
The system of motors, gears, and wheels that moves the robot. Common types include tank drive,
mecanum, and X-drive.
Driver Control
The 1-minute 45-second period after autonomous where drivers manually control their robots using
controllers.
E
Encoder
A sensor that tracks the rotation of a shaft, used for precise movement and position tracking.
Elimination Rounds
The bracket-style playoff matches after qualifications where alliances compete head-to-head to
determine the tournament winner.
F
Flywheel
A spinning wheel mechanism used to launch game elements like discs or balls at high speed.
G
Gear Ratio
The ratio between driving and driven gears, determining speed vs. torque trade-offs in mechanisms.
GPS Sensor
A VEX sensor that provides the robot's absolute position on the field using a special field strip.
H
High Stakes
The 2024-2025 VEX Robotics Competition game involving rings and mobile goals on wall stakes.
I
Inertial Sensor (IMU)
A sensor that measures the robot's heading and acceleration, essential for accurate autonomous
turning.
Intake
A mechanism designed to pick up and collect game elements from the field, often using rollers or
flaps.
L
Lift
A mechanism that raises game elements or parts of the robot to higher positions. Types include bar
lifts, chain lifts, and DR4Bs.
M
Mecanum Wheels
Specialized wheels with angled rollers that allow omnidirectional movement (strafing).
Motor
The V5 Smart Motor — the primary actuator for robot movement and mechanisms. Each robot can use up
to 8 motors.
O
Odometry
A method of tracking the robot's position on the field by measuring wheel rotations, used for
precise autonomous navigation.
P
PID Controller
Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller — a feedback loop algorithm used for precise motor
control, commonly controlling drivetrain speed and arm positions.
Pneumatics
An air-powered actuation system using pistons, tanks, and valves. Provides fast, powerful linear
motion for clamps and launches.
PROS
An open-source C/C++ development environment for VEX V5, popular for its advanced features and
community libraries like LemLib.
R
RobotEvents
The official platform for VEX competition registration, results, and rankings (robotevents.com).
S
Skills Challenge
A standalone event where a single robot completes tasks for points, with separate driver and
programming runs.
Slew Rate
The rate at which motor voltage is gradually increased to prevent jerky starts, protecting gears and
reducing wheel slip.
T
Torque
Rotational force — higher torque means more pushing/lifting power but typically lower speed.
Traction Wheels
Wheels with high-grip rubber surfaces, used on drivetrains to prevent slipping.
V
VEXcode
The official programming environment from VEX, supporting blocks-based and text-based (C++) coding
for V5 robots.
Vision Sensor
A camera-based sensor that can detect and track objects by color, useful for automated sorting and
alignment.
W
WP (Win Points)
Points earned from winning matches or earning AWP, used to rank teams during qualifications.