Seeing very little discussion about this on google. I’m completely new and wondering if I should purchase VEX, but only interested if its a very good resource to learn robotics programming with the Python/C++ languages.
It depends.
if you just want to learn how to program basic robots then you would be better off with a raspberry Pi, a 4 motor Hat and four cheap motors. (Cost $250)
But if you want to build fairly complex mechanical robots with sensors (touch, color, vision) then VexIQ with additional sensors is the a good path (Cost $500)
Do you have a more defined end state? Oddly, Robot programming is pretty broad. You can program some pretty complex things for the VEXIQ brain, but you are not going to get machine learning or a lot of AI. This is due to memory constraints.
I’ve suggested that VEX look at an integration method to connect the IQ as a secondary processor to a Raspberry Pi or more powerful processor. Being able to pass message packets back and forth (sensor data to get processed, motor controls back) would make a very cool learning system.
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Depending on your age and goals, different paths would be good. VEX IQ can be good for C++ like coding, but higher levels of robotics would be better for more complicated coding. Or if you want to just program, use something like a Raspberry Pi. If you could give us more information to help you, that’s be great.
Edit: @Foster I didn’t see your post, so we are both saying basically the same thing.
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As great as VEX Robotics is and the community behind it, VEX can help you get a realistic example on coding but it will never teach you fully. In order to actually learn how to code, the best method is actually taking a computer science class at your school, and doing robotics to continuously motivate you on the purpose of learning C++ and/or Python. Personally you are comparing two beasts as C++ and Python. C++ due to its complexities, and Python for its universal applications. They both are very good, but if I had to choose go with Python programming first, and then do C++. If Python programming is not available then see if C or Java/JavaScript courses exist.
Personally VEX will never teach you about coding, but rather your desire to learn makes the difference. But the most effective method of learning to code, yet again, is a computer science class in High School.
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Why is there no Python/C++ on Iq why only V5
There is C for IQ using ROBOTC, along with python and cpp using RMS, and there is a publicly available preview version of VEXcode IQ with CPP support.
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Can you share the link of that
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I’m looking to be involved in designing, building, and programming robots in the future so I need to dabble in everything I guess. Not looking to just be a programming specialist. I’m just starting out though I have basic/intermediate knowledge of python but not much experience with projects and very very limited c++ so far. I just know those are going to likely be the 2 most important languages to know so I’m starting there. I don’t think I need to be involved in the machine learning/AI side of things this early, probably better to get the hang of the simpler stuff first.
Sounds like VEX is the more well rounded place to start to get a taste of both the programming and designing side of things? My only concern I guess is is it very valuable to learn how to work with the simple/limited sensors VEX has to offer? Like how would that knowledge be useful to work toward a career designing robots with much more expensive, complicated sensors that work in a different way? Is it not like learning something obsolete?
Sensors for industrial robots are simple since the need to be very reliable. So the touch / button sensor is going to work/program the same way any other touch sensor will work.
Same for the light sensor. Most of the time it’s facing a light source, not depending on light from a classroom or cafeteria ceiling fixture. Rotation is rotation, the motor rotation sensors are great.
The VIQ vision sensor is pretty simplistic, but it will get you the basic skills that will translate to a pick and place robot looking for parts.
There is no radar/lidar sensor, but they work the same way as the sonar sensor so you’ll get the same basics for that.
If you get a chance, you should find a company in your area that uses industrial robots and ask to interview one of their robotics guys. Industrial robots work the same, they are just using much more expensive parts/sensors so they can work 24/365 without breaking down.
Remember too that the largest manufacturing robots are building sized factories. Assembly lines are just robots that are spread out and don’t move.
While robots that move around / walk / climb are very cool, there are millions more that are part of factory automation. Programming those robots is a very high paying job.
Reading your post you will be good with the VIQ system. RECF has a new contest series coming up where roboteers / teams compete in building assembly line processes. You should keep an eye out for them. They will be really looking at the repeatability of the process, very different than what we do in VIQ / VRC.
Good luck!
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Cool thanks a lot for the in depth explanation and advice! I’ll go grab the VIQ super kit soon and consider those other things you mentioned. I’m struggling to find that new contest series by RECF whats the name of it?
And lastly I’m in college but our robotics club doesn’t use VEX. Is it still possible to do any VEX competitions? From what I’ve seen it seems like the competitions are purely for people who are still in school, especially pre-college. There’s VEX University but thats only accessible if you attend a college that uses VEX?
RECF announced the AMC Program that was going to be release this fall. I can’t find any public info. @Dylon_Caudill from RECF is the person that’s running the challenge. RECF staff don’t post here so I’ll invoke @DanMantz to get him to post something for you.
VEX U has a slight gray area. You have to be of college age at a college, but it doesn’t say that ALL the members need to be at the SAME college/university. The VEXU Championship team KTOR was made up of roboteers from 3 different schools. So find a nearby VEXU team and see if you can join them.
You can always start your own VEXU team, you are going to need about $6-7K for the first year to be competitive. Check with your school to see if they have some robotics grant money laying around.
You don’t have a location in your profile, if you are near Wilmington DE, I should be having some fun VIQ events in Jan/Feb. I have some pretty decent elementary teams that are always happy to pass pointers on to and play the game with outside teams.
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Nice, thanks. I’m not familiar with RECF or any of this stuff, is that AMC competition also VEX and requires membership on a VEX University team?
Thats cool I’ll look into options with VEXU teams, and no I’m not near Wilmington but thanks for the offer.
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