The VEX Robotics team is happy to announce the release of VEXcode VR! You can experience VEXcode VR by visiting vr.vex.com
VEXcode VR lets you code a virtual robot using a block based coding environment powered by Scratch Blocks. VEXcode VR is based on VEXcode, the same programming environment used for VEX 123, GO, IQ and V5 robots. VEXcode VR is 100% web-based, no installation required. VEXcode VR works in all major desktop and tablet browsers.
VEXcode VR includes Virtual Playgrounds - choose from different virtual 3D playgrounds to take advantage of the virtual robotâs features. Control your point of view as the robot runs your code. Visualize data on the playgrounds dashboard. Playgrounds include a grid map, an art canvas, and a walled maze. Many more will be added.
Challenges and activities (VEXcode VR Activities) are also available with VEXcode VR - our team of education experts created approachable activities that can be implemented easily. Activities are in Google Docs, so teachers can copy and edit the activities.
Learn more about VEXcode VR at code.vex.com
This first release of VEXcode VR is a âPreview Releaseâ - while fully functional, we will continue to add more features as fast as we can. Use the Feedback feature in the top right corner of VEXcode to let us know what you like and what is missing. Below are some of the planned features on our roadmap for VR over the coming weeks and months.
Immediate features in development:
- Electromagnet Support to pick up a game object
- Timer Support (Added Apr. 3)
- My Blocks (Added Apr. 3)
- Multiple âWhen Startedâ Blocks
- Event Blocks
- Loading Screens for Playgrounds (Added Apr. 3)
- More Playgrounds
- More Tutorial Videos
- More Example Projects
- More Activities
- Improved Dashboard
Long term features to be added:
- Code Step Through
- Code Execution Highlighting
- Variable / Sensor Reporter Block Monitoring
- âPrintâ to Console
- Python Support
- Blocks to Python Tools
- More Playgrounds
- More Tutorial Videos
- More Example Projects
- More Activities
Daily Change Log
Changes for 4/2:
- Initial Release
Changes for 4/3
- Fix issue with warning on Chrome on iOS
- Added My Blocks feature
- Added âBrainâ timer blocks
- Added loading screens to Playground window (should prevent âblack screenâ issues)
Changes for 4/6
- Fixed issue with unwanted text seletion in Safari
- Added privacy policy link to about dialog
- Playgrounds: Added start/stop button in Playground window
- Playgrounds: Default to top view camera
- Playgrounds: Fix for Pen feature not drawing properly in Wall Maze
- Playgrounds: Fix for showing the full table in âTop Viewâ when Dashboard is open
Changes for 4/7
- Changed valid range of drive/turn velocity blocks to -100 to 100
- Fixed issue where share feature was not working in Safari (iPadOS/macOS)
- Fixed issue where the bottom of the help content was cut of at the bottom on Android tablets
- Playgrounds: Fixed issue with low UI text quality and text getting cut off on some screens
Changes for 4/8
- Added educator resources to VEXcode VR Activities
- A pacing guide for all the activities with CS standards addressed.
- An email home that teachers can send parents that talks about VEXcode VR.
- Answers to all the levels in each activities.
Changes for 4/9
- Added support for Electromagnet device
- Added support for Bumper Sensors
- Added feature to âStepâ through code one block at a time
- Added code highlight execution feature to indicate program flow by highlighting blocks
- Blocks will be highlight to indicate theyâre next to run when the step button is pressed
- Blocking commands (such as Wait, Drive for Distance, etc.) will blink until completed
- Added feature to automatically select the Project Name text box when renaming a Project
- Added âActivitiesâ button to top menu bar next to tutorials to provide quick access to VEXcode VR activity
- Resolved an issue with âMy Blocksâ not appearing correctly in the toolbox after loading a project
- Resolved an issue with random text appearing while dragging blocks in the workspace
- Playgrounds: Added two Bumper Sensors to the VR Robot model
- Playgrounds: Added Bumper Sensor values to the Dashboard
- Playgrounds: Added new âDisk Transportâ Playground, best for trying out the Electromagnet
- Playgrounds: Added new âCastle Crasherâ Playground, fun level for knocking over and pushing objects (just avoid falling off the Playground!)
Changes for 4/10:
- Adjusted blinking speed to increase visibility with âStepâ and highlight execution features
- Adjusted behavior where âWhen Startedâ will blink when highlight execution of a project
- Adjusted behavior for the âStepâ feature to automatically step through the âWhen Startedâ block and save the need for an additional âStepâ action
- Resolved an issue where a project would always âStopâ after completing the last command in the âWhen Startedâ stack
- Updated the icon in the toolbar for the âPlaygroundâ button
- Playgrounds: Corrected the hazard border on the âCastle Crasherâ Playground to be red instead of yellow
