Building a working VEX robot can be a complicated matter. It requires building a base, adding a scoring mechanism, and wiring up all the motors. Then you need to program the robot, which can be done with VexCode or some other programming base. After these steps are completed, the robot is ready to be sent to competition.
However, these are only the basic steps for building a robot. A truly advanced VEX robot is also able to use the capabilities of sensors to their fullest potential. Sensors can help the robot find scoring objects, follow a path, or determine the number of degrees a motor should rotate. They can also be used to provide information to the driver, or guide the robot in autonomous. These powerful tools can make the difference between a good robot and a great one.
This blog will help people new to the scene learn the various sensors and what they are capable of. Each sensor has different data values and functions, which can be confusing at first. Builders and programmers alike can benefit from knowing how to access these tools and how to utilize them to their best advantage.
-
Accelerometer
Accelerometers are complex sensors that can be used to detect the acceleration of a robot. This can be used for multiple functions, such as calculating the robot’s velocity. This function could then be used to determine if the robot ran into an object, due to the robot’s sudden loss of velocity. The robot has three… Read more
-
Ultrasonic Range Finder
Ultrasonic range finders are unique sensors that use high-frequency sound waves to detect objects. The range finder is then able to measure the distance between the object and itself, and the robot can be programmed to react accordingly. This can be used to avoid bumping into walls or other robots, without the need to hit… Read more
-
Line Tracker
Line trackers are useful tools in autonomous control for detecting changes in light. They work by shining an infrared light onto a surface. An sensor then detects the intensity of the light that bounces back, and translates it into a numerical value. Since darker colors absorb more light than lighter colors, the data value will… Read more
-
Potentiometers and Encoders
Encoders and potentiometers can be some of the most useful sensors for autonomous control, as they can be used to measure the distance a part moves. This is done by measuring the axle rotation of a shaft, which is inserted inside of the encoder or potentiometer. While both are similar, encoders and potentiometers each have… Read more
-
Vision Sensors
With the introduction of the V5 kits came the vision sensor. It works as a camera, and can be used to detect colored objects and react accordingly. The camera is able to detect seven different colors at once, which can be useful, as most game objects in the VEX competition are different colors. Vision sensors… Read more
-
Touch Sensors
Touch sensors are some of the easiest sensors to program and use. When pressed, touch sensors will activate and send a signal to the brain of the robot. The two types of touch sensors are the bumper switch and the limit switch. They may have similar functions and program, but they each have their own… Read more
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
VEX Sensors and How to Use Them 