HEX Bug Battery Packs

[ipanavigator]

Aloha,
An interesting topic came to my attention regarding the battery pack provided in the HEX Bug kit. This product allows the user the ability to place their own AA batteries into the pack. This would technically allow the user to experiment with batteries of different chemistry. I currently understand the rules of competition in regards to HEX Bug parts is that no electrical parts can be used in competition robots. My question is this, are these battery packs considered “electrical parts” and therefore illegal for use in competition? I will await your answer. Thank you.

​-BAILEY

[Steve_Hassenplug]

I’m pretty sure the batteries are electronic. And, they are of little use, without other HEX bug electronics.

However, I’m not sure why I’m able to answer this question…

[Karthik]

@ipanavigator

My question is this, are these battery packs considered “electrical parts” and therefore illegal for use in competition? I will await your answer. Thank you.

Let’s see what the Game Manual has to say:

@VEX IQ Challenge Crossover Game Manual

<R12> The only allowable sources of electrical power for a VEX IQ Challenge Robot is any single (1) VEX IQ Robot Battery or six AA batteries.

So, yes, you are allow to power your VEX IQ Challenge Robot with 6 AA batteries via the battery box that is supplied in certain kits.