Welcome to the 2023-24 VEX AI Robotics Competition Kick-off!
The REC Foundation and VEX Robotics are excited to welcome you to the return of the VAIRC competition season.
2023-24 VEX AI Robotics Competition Game Information
VEX GPS, VEX LINK, an AI Vision System, and the resulting Sensor Fusion create an opportunity for students to take their autonomous robots a level up in Over Under! The VEX AI Robotics Competition pushes the boundaries of robotics competitions.
Here’s How it Works
- Two Robots per Team – Each team brings two robots that they design and build to work as a team.
- Parts – Teams may 3D print and machine parts. Teams may use custom electronics, and there are no motor quantity limits.
- Grade level – This competition will be open to High School and College level students.
- Registration – Season registration is $200 for the first team and $150 for each additional team within the same organization.
- Hardware – The hardware kit needed to run VEX GPS, VEX LINK, an AI Vision System, and Sensor Fusion Map is available for purchase from VEX, SKU 276-8983.
REC Foundation Support
If you have questions this season about how to navigate RobotEvents.com or this season’s events, please contact [email protected] or your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager.
You can also check out the REC Foundation VAIRC website to find seasonal information and resources:
- Season Updates
- 2023-24 Game Manual, Appendix D
VEX Forum
The VEX Forum and VAIRC Channel is a valuable resource to teams where you can:
- Get technical support for your teams from VEX Technical Specialists
- Interact with your VAIRC community
VEX Official Q&A
The Official Q&A is a valuable resource to teams where you can:
- Ask clarifying questions about the game rules
- Ask clarifying questions about judging
Team Registration
Register your VAIRC Team(s) at robotevents.com
- Teams are identified by a number and letter
- VAIRC Teams are independent of VRC/VEXU teams from the same organization, but can be made up of the same members (see the definition of Crossover Teams in the Game Manual)
- Season registration fees are $200 for the first team and $150 for each additional team in an organization with a 6 team organizational cap. Teams 7-22 in an organization may register for free
- For help with team registration, contact [email protected]
VAIRC Over Under Add-on Kits
VEX is offering this add-on kit VEX AI Over Under Kit - VEX Robotics for $1499 USD that contains the additional electronics to equip your 2 robots. If you don’t need everything in the kit, you can purchase the same or similar items individually from VEX and other sources. Using the VEXU robot rules allows for a lot of variation in these products and how they are used.
Here is a VEX Forum article that provides more detailed product information. VEX AI Kit Details Released!
VEX has also provided a set of articles to help you Get Started with the AI equipment.
VEX AI Software
The software on the Jetson side of things has been rewritten and documented and is now Open Source!
- Repo link: GitHub - VEX-Robotics/VAIC_23_24: Source code and documentation for the VEX AI Competition 2023/2024 season 17
- The jetson code is almost all python, and uses standard software which can easily be modified - a great learning opportunity.
- There is also example code available for the V5 brain that interfaces with the jetson over USB
How to Compete during the season
For this season, it is likely that few areas will have enough teams to hold a local VAIRC tournament. VAIRC tournaments will be open to local teams and teams willing to travel.
-A minimum of 6 VAIRC teams are required in order to be a qualifying event.
-VAIRC Teams are invited to run skills at local VRC and VEXU tournaments and have those scores verified by the Head Referee and submitted to be added to the skills ranking list.
-VAIRC teams must request permission to run skills at a local event at least 1 week PRIOR to the event.
SAVE THE DATE!
VEX AI Robotics Championship, June 7-8, 2024
June 7-8, 2024
Location: Clear Creek Robotics Center, Houston, TX
Teams will qualify for the championship event from qualifying VAIRC events and from the Skill Rankings.