On these pages you will find everything you need to know when competing at the VEX IQ Robotics Competition UK National Championships. In previous years, teams have received Welcome Packs at the event containing this information but to save on paper waste, most of this information can now be found here. Printed match schedules will NOT be provided. Teams will need to use the VEX VIA app.
Further details including the risk assessment can be found on the Robot Events page for the Elementary Division here and for the Middle School Divisions here.
Divisions
There are three VEX IQ Competition Divisions at the UK National Championships - two for Middle School and one for Elementary. This means that Middle School and Elementary teams will not compete together. When the Elementary teams are doing their Teamwork Challenge Matches, these will take place on the Lovelace Division fields. During this time, all Middle School teams will be able to use the Brunel Division fields for Skills.
Inspection
There is no separate Inspection area this year. Middle School teams will be inspected in their respective Division areas, and Elementary School teams will be inspected in the Skills area.
Student Centred Policy and Code of Conduct
The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation’s mission is to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable robotics engineering programs. We believe that the student-centred model of learning is aligned with our mission and provides effective educational benefits to students. The REC Foundation Student-Centred Policy and Code of Conduct should reviewed by organisations participating in the UK National Championships. Violations of this policy could result in expulsion from the event.
Read the Student Centred Policy here.
Read the Code of Conduct here.
Read the Adult Behaviour Guidelines here.
Drivers Meeting
If you have a question that you would like to ask in the Drivers Meeting, please use this form to submit it. Please note that we may not be able to answer all questions, and any questions that can be answered by reading the game manual will not be considered.
Elementary School Agenda
TBC soon.
Middle School Agenda
TBC soon.
Matches
There will not be any practice matches so make sure you familiarise yourself with the Division and Field layout before your first match. Middle School Teamwork Challenge matches will take place in their respective divisions. There are three Fields within each Division and you can identify them by the sponsor logos on the Field skirts around each one. These will be referenced on the schedule on screens or VEX VIA so you know which Field you are on.
Teams should be at the Queuing Table in the correct division 5 minutes before the scheduled start of your match. If you are there and your Alliance Partner is not, then send a representative of your team to find them!
If you are not at the assigned competition field at the time your match is scheduled to start then you face being declared a ‘No Show’ and will not receive the points scored by your Alliance Partner. If you robot is not ready for the match, send a representative of your team to support your Alliance Partner anyway and your will not be declared a ‘No Show’.
Awards
The following awards will be judged over the course of the two days of the event:
| Excellence | Design * |
| Innovate ** | Think |
| Create | Build |
| Amaze | Judges |
| Sportsmanship | Energy |
There will also be trophies for the Teamwork Champions and Robot Skills Champion, as well as some other special recognition awards.
Judges will be visiting the team in small groups during the two days. All communication to Judges questions should come from students.
* The Design Award requires a Digital submission via your RobotEvents account.
** The Innovate Award requires a specific submission to support. Refer to this link for further details.
Arriving at the Field
Help us to make matches run smoothly by using the following procedure when you arrive at the field for your matches:
Arrive at the Field with both your Robot and Controller turned off.
Place your Robot on the field and turn the Robot on.
Turn on the Controller
Wait for match to begin.
At the end of each match, wait for the referees signal to remove your robot. Please make sure there are no Scoring Objects left in your robot before you leave the Field.
Skills Challenge
Teams are permitted to enter each of the Skills Challenges 3 times for a maximum of 6 total runs. Each team will have 3 Driver Skills, and 3 Autonomous Coding Skills runs.
All attempts are on a first come, first served basis. Simply go to the Skills Fields (or Brunel Division Fields when these are being used for Skills) and register your interest with one of the referees. As soon as the Field is ready, you will be able to compete.
You must have your robot and controller with you in the queue.
Teams can only make one attempt at a time, and then must go to the back of the queue, unless there is no one waiting. In which case they may make another attempt once the Field is reset.
Final results and Awards for the Skills Challenge will be during the Awards Ceremony.
To help spread out the attempts, a maximum of 3 Skills Runs can be made Day Two of the event, meaning you must make at least 3 Skills Runs on Day One. However, you can make more if you wish on Day One.
The Skills Rankings screens will show you how many attempts you have made so far.
VEX Store
The following products are available to collect from UK Nationals. Orders must be placed on the VEX Robotics website, with “Collect from Warehouse” chosen as the shipping option to remove the carriage charge. Once the order is complete and you receive an order confirmation email you can collect from any VEX staff member.
Please note there are limited stock of all items on site.
Parts available on site:
228-2560 - Motors
228-2779 - Controller Battery
228-7045 - IQ Robot Battery (Li-Ion, 2000 mAh)
228-6470 – Controller 2nd Generation
228-6480 – Brain 2nd Generation
228-8795 - IQ Pneumatics Kit
228-7728 - IQ Pneumatics Tubing Kit
228-2780 – Smart Cables
228-6633 / 228-6634 – Silicone Bands
276-8076 / 276-8077 – EPDM Bands
228-7401 - VEX IQ Blank Team Number Plate
269-6961 - USB-C Cable (1m)
Order and pay online at vexrobotics.com.
Pits Power and Battery Charging
The pit area will have one socket shared between two pits. Teams should bring 4-way adaptors and be prepared to share the main socket with the pit next to them.
Teams are responsible for ensuring they have a charged robot battery and controller for their own robots at the start of matches.
Please ensure all of your batteries and chargers are labelled with your team's name.
Also, please remember to help out other teams, especially if they are on your Alliance, if they need assistance or to borrow equipment!
Livestream
The VEX Robotics UK National Championships will be live streamed. You can access these via the link below. Please share the livestream with friends, family and others that are unable to attend the event in person.
