VEX Robotics Competition (VRC)
The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a robotics competition utilizing the VEX robotics platform. VEX Robotics, Inc. contracts the non-profit Robotics Education and Competition Foundation to organize and operate the worldwide VEX Robotics Competition. Teams build and program a robot to complete a task revealed each year. VRC is played on a 12'x12' square field. Two alliances – one "red" and one "blue" – composed of two teams each, compete in each match which consists of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by accruing points according to the game elements laid out in that year's rules. In some years, additional points could be earned by positioning the robot at the end of the match. In Elevation, Clean Sweep, and Round Up, a bonus was awarded to the alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period. In Gateway though, there is no autonomous bonus.
The cost is currently $75 for the first team from an organization, and $25 for each additional team.
The winning alliance (and runners up at events with 51 or more teams) at each local competition qualify for the VEX World Championship. The winners of the Robot Skills and Programming Skills Challenges also qualify for the VEX World Championship. In addition, the winner of the "Excellence Award" at each tournament with at least 18 teams qualifies for the Vex World Championship.
| Season | Game | Main Game Elements | Location of World Championship | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2008 | Bridge Battle | Tennis balls | Northridge, California | May 1–3, 2008 |
| 2008–2009 | Elevation | Cubes | Dallas, Texas | April 30 – May 2, 2009 |
| 2009–2010 | Clean Sweep | Small, medium, and large white balls | Dallas, Texas | April 22–24, 2010 |
| 2010–2011 | Round Up | Toruses | Lake Buena Vista, Florida | April 14–16, 2011 |
| 2011–2012 | Gateway | Balls and Barrels | Anaheim, CA | April 18–21, 2012 |
| 2012-2013 | Sack Attack | Beanbags | Anaheim, CA | April 17-20, 2013 |
Read more about this topic: Vex Robotics Design System
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