The VEX Robotics Competition runs annually, with teams having a full year to prototype, design, and build a robot using a mix of prefabricated and custom parts. We run 5 teams each having 4-5 students, and are capped at 25 members. Students use Fusion 360 and Onshape to design and layout the structure of robots, designing mechanisms and making sure they do not interfere. Students can program the robot in C++ using VEXcode or PROS or use VEXcode Blocks for a Scratch like experience. Students get a chance to apply controls algorithms including odometry, Kalman Filters, and Motion Profiling to practical settings, gaining valuable experience. VEX is our team pipeline for middle and high schoolers to get interested in FRC, but we also have students participating in both programs.
Our teams usually attend three regional competitions, the States Championship, and the World Championship. SHARP’s VEX program has been very successful recently, winning the Western Pennsylvania States Excellence Award in 2021, winning both Western Pennsylvania 2021-2022 Season Regional Events, and having 2 teams be tournament finalists and another be Robot Skills Champion at the 2022 Western Pennsylvania State Championship.
VEX Spin Up 2022 – 2023
VEX Robotics Competition Spin Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches comprising of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to achieve a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Discs in Goals, Owning Rollers, and Covering field tiles at the end of the Match.
There are sixty (60) Discs and four (4) Rollers on a VRC Spin Up Field. Discs can be Scored in the two High Goals, one per Alliance, at opposite corners of the field. Each Disc scored in a High Goal is worth 5 points. However, Robots aiming for the High Goal had better be accurate! Because underneath each High Goal, is a 1-point Low Goal for the opposing Alliance.
In addition to Discs, Robots can also spin the four Rollers mounted to the field perimeter. If the area inside of a Roller’s pointers only shows one color, that is considered “Owned” by that Alliance. Each Owned Roller is worth 10 points.
As the clock winds down, it’s time for the Endgame. At the end of the Match, Alliances will receive a 3 point bonus for each tile their Robots are Covering. So, during the last 10 seconds of the Match, there are no horizontal expansion limits.
The Alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with ten (10) bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. Each Alliance also has the opportunity to earn an Autonomous Win Point by scoring at least two Discs in Alliance’s High Goals, and owning Both Rollers on their side of the field. This Bonus can be earned by both Alliances, regardless of who wins the Autonomous Bonus
VEX Tipping Point 2021 – 2022
VEX Robotics Competition Tipping Point is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Rings, moving Mobile Goals to Alliance Zones, and by Elevating on Platforms at the end of a Match.
There are seventy-two (72) Rings and seven (7) Mobile Goals on a VRC Tipping Point Field. Each Alliance has two (2) Alliance Mobile Goals, with the remaining three (3) Goals being neutral. Each Alliance also has a Platform located in their Home Zone.
Rings scored on an Alliance Mobile Goal will count for the respective Alliance, regardless of where it ends the Match. However, Rings scored on Neutral Goals will only count for an Alliance if the Mobile Goal ends the Match in their Home Zone!
As the Match draws to a close, Robots will start heading back towards their Alliance Platforms. Alliances can earn additional points for each Robot and Mobile Goal that ends the Match Elevated on a Balanced Alliance Platform.
The Alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with six (6) bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. Each Alliance also has the opportunity to earn an additional Win Point by scoring at least one Ring on each of their Alliance’s Mobile Goals, and “Clearing” their Autonomous Win Point Line. This Bonus can be earned by both Alliances, regardless of who wins the Autonomous Bonus
VEX Change Up 2020 – 2021
VEX Robotics Competition Change Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by placing Balls in Goals, and Connecting Rows.
There are thirty-two (32) Balls on a VRC Change Up Field. Sixteen (16) Red and sixteen (16) Blue. There are also nine (9) Goals placed around the field.
Balls are to be Scored in Goals. Each scored Ball is worth 1 point for the corresponding Alliance color. The highest scored Ball in a Goal will be owned by the corresponding Alliance color.
If an Alliance owns three goals in any direction (vertical, horizontal or diagonal), they will receive a 6 point bonus for a Connected Row. But be careful, Balls can be de-scored by the opposing Alliance at any time during the Driver-Control period!
The alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with (6) bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. Each Alliance also has the opportunity to earn an additional Win Point by completing their Home Row during the Autonomous Period. This Bonus can be earned by both Alliances, regardless of who wins the Autonomous Bonus.
VEX Tower Takeover 2019 – 2022
VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by placing Cubes in Towers, or scoring Cubes in Goals.
There are sixty-six 66 Cubes on a Tower Takeover Field. Twenty-two (22) Green, twenty-two (22) Orange and, twenty-two (22) Purple. There are also seven (7) Towers placed around the field. Five (5) of these are neutral, with the remaining two being alliance specific. Alliance specific Towers may only be utilized by robots of the same alliance.
Cubes can be Placed in Towers, or Scored in Goals. Cubes are worth at least 1 point when Placed in a Goal Zone. The exact value of each cube is determined by how many Cubes of that specific color have been Placed in Towers. When Cubes are Placed in or removed from Towers, the new values apply to ALL cubes. So the actions of one Robot will impact the potential score for both their own alliance, and their opponents.
The alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with (6) bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. The Alliance who wins this Autonomous Bonus is also awarded 2 purple cubes, which may be introduced at any time during the driver control period.
VEX Turning Point 2018 – 2019
VEX Robotics Competition Turning Point is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by High Scoring or Low Scoring Caps, Toggling Flags, and by Alliance Parking or Center Parking Robots on the Platforms
There are eight (8) Caps, six (6) Posts, nine (9) Flags, twenty (20) Balls, two (2) Alliance Platforms, and one (1) Center Platform.
Caps can be Low Scored on the field tiles, or High Scored on Posts, for the Alliance whose color is facing up at the end of the match. Flags can be Toggled to red or blue, and are Scored for the Alliance whose color is Toggled at the end of the match. Low Flags can be Toggled by Robots, but High Flags can only be Toggled by Balls. Turning Point is intended to be a back and forth game, no scored object is safe!
Alliance Platforms can be used for Alliance Parking by Robots of the same color Alliance as the Platform. The Center Platform can be used by Robots from either Alliance for Center Parking. An additional bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
VEX In The Zone 2017 – 2018
VEX Robotics Competition In the Zone is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Stacking Cones on Goals, by Scoring Mobile Goals in Goal Zones, by having the Highest Stacks, and by Parking Robots.
There are eighty (80) Cones that can be Stacked on ten (10) Goals [5 per Alliance] during a Match. Some cones begin in designated locations on the field, while others are available to be entered into the field during the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18”) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. Each Alliance has three Zones in which they can place their Goals. Alliances earn points for Stacking Cones on Goals, Scoring Mobile Goals in Goal Zones, having the Highest Stacks, and by Parking Robots. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
VEX Starstruck 2016 – 2017
VEX Starstruck is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring “stars” and “cubes” into the far zone and near zone, by designing a robot that can launch your stars and cubes into the zones, and by Hanging, at various heights, off your colored pole at the end of the match.
There are a total of twenty-four (24) stars and four (4) cubes available as Scoring Objects in the game. Most Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while some are available to be loaded prior to the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are two (2) scoring Zones that Alliances can Score Objects into. Alliances also earn points for having Robots of their own color Hanging from their pole at the end of the Match. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
VEX Nothing But Net 2015 – 2016
VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your Balls and Bonus Balls in your Low and High Goals, and by Elevating Robots in your Climbing Zone. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
There are ninety-four (94) Balls and ten (10) Bonus Balls, available as Scoring Objects. Some Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while others are available to be entered into the field during to the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18”) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. Each Alliance has one High Goal and one Low Goal to Score into. Alliances also earn points for Low and High Elevating one of their Robots upon the other. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
VEX Skyrise 2014 – 2015
VEX Skyrise is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your colored Cubes in Floor Goals, on Posts or on your Skyrise, by Owning Posts, and by Building your Skyrise Sections.
There are a total of forty-four (44) Cubes, twenty-two (22) red and twenty-two (22) blue, and fourteen (14) Skyrise Sections available Scoring Objects in the game. Most Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while some are available to be entered into the field during to the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are ten (10) Posts and four (4) Floor Goals that Robots can Score Objects onto. The Alliance with the topmost Cube on a Post Owns the Post. Alliances also earn points for Building Skyrises on their Skyrise Base out of Skyrise Sections, and Scoring Cubes on Skyrises. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.
VEX Toss Up 2013 – 2014
VEX Toss Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring your colored BuckyBalls and Large Balls into the Middle Zone and Goal Zone, by Stashing your colored BuckyBalls and Large Balls into the Goals, and by Hanging or Hanging With A Ball, at various heights, off your colored Bar at the end of the match.
There are a total of twenty (20) BuckyBalls and eight (8) Large Balls available as Scoring Objects in the game. Most Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while some are available to be loaded prior to the Match.
Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are two (2) scoring Zones and (2) Goals that Alliances can Score Objects into. Alliances also earn points for having Robots of their own color Hanging from their Hanging Bar at the end of the Match. A bonus is awarded to the Alliance that has the most total points at the end of the Autonomous Period.