Configuring the default IQ Controller in VEXcode IQ (1st gen)

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When starting to program with VEXcode IQ, Controller blocks will not appear in the Toolbox until a Controller has been configured.

  • You can only configure one Controller per project.
  • An IQ Clawbot (drivetrain) Template is used for the following configuration of a Controller.
  • If you have a Controller configured, you must have a Controller connected to your VEX IQ Robot Brain for your project to run.


Here are the different options when configuring a Controller:

  • Adding a Controller
  • Changing a Controller’s Left and Right Buttons
  • Changing a Controller’s Joysticks
  • Changing a Controller’s E and F Buttons
  • Switching the Direction of a Controller’s Buttons
  • Deleting a Controller

Adding a Controller

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ development interface showcasing programming blocks and options for VEX IQ Robotics platform, illustrating tools for educational robotics and beginner programming.

To configure a Controller, select the Devices button to open the Devices window. 

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ software interface displaying programming blocks and options for VEX IQ robotics, illustrating tools for educators and students in robotics education.

Select the generation that you are working with.

VEXcode IQ interface screenshot displaying programming blocks for VEX IQ Robotics, illustrating features and tools available for educational robotics projects and programming.

Select “Add a device.”

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ development environment showing programming interface and coding blocks, illustrating tools for building and programming robots using the VEX IQ Robotics platform.

Select "Controller".

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface displaying programming blocks for VEX IQ robotics, illustrating coding options and features for educational robotics projects.

If you want to program the Controller using VEXcode IQ, select “Done” to complete the configuration or “Cancel” to return back to the Devices menu.

Note: If you want to configure the Controller for use without programming, see the additional options below.


Changing a Controller’s Left and Right Buttons

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showcasing programming features and tools for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, designed for educational use and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

You can change which motors the Left and Right buttons control by selecting the buttons to cycle through the motors until the desired motor is shown.

Note: The motors must be configured before assigning actions to buttons.


Changing a Controller’s Joysticks

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing programming blocks and options for VEX IQ robotics, illustrating features for educational robotics programming.

You can change the drive-mode of the robot by selecting the Joysticks to cycle through the modes until the desired mode is shown. The four modes are: Left Arcade, Right Arcade, Split Arcade, Tank. 

Note: The Drivetrain must be configured before assigning a drive-mode.

Changing a Controller’s E and F Buttons

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing programming blocks and robot control options, illustrating tools for building and programming VEX IQ robots, relevant for educators and students in robotics education.

You can change which motors the E and F buttons control by selecting the buttons to cycle through the motors until the desired motor is shown.

Note: The motors must be configured before assigning actions to buttons.


Switching the Direction of a Controller’s Buttons

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface displaying programming blocks and tools for VEX IQ Robotics platform, illustrating features for educational robotics projects and programming tutorials.

The Options screen also allows the swap arrow to switch which buttons control each direction of the motor.


Deleting a Controller

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ development environment displaying a programming interface with various coding blocks and options, illustrating resources for VEX IQ Robotics platform users.

A Controller can also be deleted by selecting the “Delete” option at the bottom of the screen.

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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