VEXcode VR

Learn

What you’ll learn

• What VEXcode VR is and where to find it
• What you can practise there
• How it compares with the RoboLearn robot simulator

VEXcode VR

VEXcode VR is VEX Robotics’ free virtual robot at vr.vex.com. It runs in Chrome-based browsers with no install, and you code with blocks or Python. It has several playgrounds (mazes, a castle crasher, coral reef clean-up and more) and a robot with drive motors, a pen, distance, colour and bumper sensors.

It’s useful practice before using real VEX IQ or V5 robots in competitions.

Note

VEXcode VR can’t be embedded inside other websites, so it opens in its own tab.

Open VEXcode VR ↗

Compared with RoboLearn’s simulator

	VEXcode VR	RoboLearn simulator
Coding	Blocks, Python	JavaScript
Where	Separate site	Inside every lesson
Worlds	Many 3D-style playgrounds	Line track, obstacle room, maze, sumo
Best for	VEX teams, block coders	Learning sensors and control alongside lessons

Examples

Example: the same wall-avoider idea

VEXcode VR (Python-style):

while True:
    if front_distance.get_distance(MM) < 100:
        drivetrain.turn_for(RIGHT, 90, DEGREES)
    else:
        drivetrain.drive(FORWARD)
    wait(5, MSEC)

RoboLearn simulator:

function loop() {
  if (distance() < 10) motors(50, -50);
  else motors(50, 50);
}

Practice

First playgroundEasy

Open VEXcode VR, choose a maze playground, and make the robot drive forward and stop before the first wall.

Port itMedium

Write the same behaviour in the RoboLearn robot simulator (obstacle room). function loop() { if (distance() > 15) motors(50, 50); else motors(0, 0); }

CompareHard

Solve a maze in both simulators. Write down two differences in how the robots sense and turn.

Quick check

1. Where do you find VEXcode VR?

vr.vex.comOnly on an iPadInside the Arduino IDEIt costs $300

2. Which languages does VEXcode VR offer?

Blocks and PythonOnly C++Only JavaScriptNone

3. Can VEXcode VR be embedded in other websites?

YesNo, it opens in its own tabOnly on FridaysOnly in LEGO

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