What V5RC parts would you like to see VEX sell?

VEX V5 General Discussion New Product Ideas
1

There’s already an IQ thread for this. Let’s have a V5RC version.

What I would like to see:

  1. Individual boxes of game elements. I’m an EP. Cubes have been walking all season long, as do the smaller game elements most years. Allow me to purchase a box of just game elements (in this year’s case, cubes) without having to buy a complete game set.

  2. Pneumatics solenoid wires. Had a couple of sets chewed up or otherwise broken this season. Don’t force me to purchase a $50 solenoid just to get a $10 wiring harness.

  3. Pneumatics plugs. Again, don’t force me to purchase $32 worth of spare parts just to get $5 worth of plastic plugs. The brass valves stink (I use the SMC for my program), and none of my teams use the air flow fittings.

  4. Sets of 3 of the same length battery cables, or at least 3 of the medium-sized battery cables together. Because of the pin-shredding issue (that remains unacknowledged), battery cables are essentially a consumable.

2

USB-C brain and controller. Micro USB is fine, but it just isnt as durable as C-type. Ive seen multiple brain ports squished in because a student put in the plug upside down and kept pushing. Yes, its user error, but its a common one.

3

I would love to see thin gears that can use high strength axles or screws. I know you can cut high strength gears in half if you really have to but having a specialized part would be nice.

And of course they need to make waterproof parts for next year’s game.

4

Flex wheels :frowning:

5

(Slight off-topic)

I think it would be cool for VEX to have rolling parts that rotate season by season.

Certain seasons, some parts are allowed while others are temporarily illegal.

This restraint not only allows VEX to create more products in the product pool, but also encourages teams to innovate with creative and more in-depth barriers beyond a mere field.

Additionally, it lowers the bar for new teams who are just joining, and encourages growth.

Perhaps 3D printers could be sold and be legal one season, and banning wheels, causing teams to create and innovate their own wheels to compete?

  • New teams dont need to buy wheels for that season
  • New teams can network with another org to learn how to CAD and borrow a 3D printer, lowering the barrier

Imagine how cool it would be if VEX has a rule of maximum 4 wheels touching the ground, then had apriltag cameras to encourage teams to make their own visual odometry system?

  • New teams do not need an excess of wheels for that season

What about one season, there is a maximum weight limit to encourage teams to be light and either sacrifice motors or subsystems?

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For on-topic:

  • A VEX 3D printer
  • Wireless robot peer to peer sensor
  • VEX programmable LED strips with screwholes
  • Speaker with pre-loaded VEX legal sounds (non-programmable, and has a different tone based upon its team color)
  • A pneumatic whistle, like steampunk
  • A thin grass turf playing field
  • Laser guns with electronic targets, that disables the opposing robot if shot
  • A small display LED screen/menu that can connect through serial connection, similar to V4 era LCD screen
  • VEX Lidar sensor
  • A camera odometry system looking down, similar to a computer mouse, but built to be higher above the ground

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Interesting competition ideas runner ups

A competition where robots can intentionally break plastic structures that can be snapped back into place. For example, breaking a wall to have access to new field elements that give bonus points

A competition where the robot picks up a ball, and drops it into a funnel that a person would need to pick up and try to score into a basketball hoop across the field

A competition where gates are spring loaded, unlock and open downwards. They are unlocked with sound activation that changes based upon what random color is being displayed on its small screen

A competition with two auton periods, with one at the first 15 seconds and at the last 15 seconds. This encourages teams to innovate locality.

A competition where there is an elevator and a crank and a person would have to raise and lower the robot to the other side of the field with the elevator (def will require a max weight limit)

A competition where field elements are a fabric and robots can only store the elements externally through velcro

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So many ideas!

6

Nah quite radical Ideas, but no. join VexU

7

Speaking more practically, I think 2.75 and 3.25 mechanum wheels

8

true, they need to bring back flex wheels

9

You can buy flex wheels on ali express rn

10

Unfortunately I left VEXU because I find it more interesting to make my own robot and code it without the pressures of competition, but rather motivated by passion.

I do not believe that one should stay in VEXU for longer than 2-3 years in (engineering) college because there are so many research, internship, and other opportunities that may be more exciting. And these opportunities, if missed, can delay finding a job after graduation. However, I believe my VEX U experience actually landed me a job, because of my experience in C++ and motion algorithms.

3D printing is one of the greatest opportunities in VEXU, and opens the gates for a new dimension of creativity by exercising spatial intelligence.

I will be firm like a horse already dead which continues to be beaten. 3D printing is way more affordable now, thanks to both inflation and lowering prices of 3D printers themselves. The point against 3D printing is moot nowadays, and I wholeheartedly hope that VEX/RECF considers 3D printing in the future for high school students, even if it is legal once every 3 years.

By doing so, it makes CAD more familiar and less intimidating for individuals entering college who never touched CAD at all.

11

Yes, one of the main point Connor suggested was 3d printing, hence me mentioning Vex U. I myself don’t have much of a opinion adding 3d printing, It is unlikely as we have already seen big brother changing the plastic rules to make less useful.

12

400Rpm carts (20 char)

13

That would be so nice

14

1600 rpm direct motors

15

A mounting mechanism for the Smart field controller.

16

A ring gear for planetary gears, preferably in multiple sizes. High strength worm gears and bevel gears. Waterproof electronics (for next year’s water game)

17

1.33w motor, and change all motor into brushless.

2.Small ball bearing

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3.square tube

18

Motors would be so expensive, and you would need a ESC, I do like small ball bearings. Maybe low profile bearing flats with a bronze bushing insert.

19

I love the idea of greater than 11W motors, and brushless would be great. Seems more like a V6 thing though.

20

Well, of course they will need to make V6 parts waterproof for the water game too.