Configuring Sensors in VEXcode IQ

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


Adding a Sensor

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing the Robot Config section, illustrating options for configuring VEX IQ robotics components and settings for programming educational robots.

To configure a sensor, select the Devices icon to open the Devices window. 

Screenshot of the VEXcode IQ interface displaying the Robot Config section, showcasing options for configuring VEX IQ robot settings and components, designed for educational use in robotics programming and development.

Select the generation that you are working with.

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing the Robot Config section, featuring options for configuring VEX IQ robot components and settings for programming and controlling robots in educational robotics projects.

Select “Add a device.”

Diagram of VEX IQ sensors showing various types and their configurations for robotics projects, illustrating components essential for programming and building robots in the VEX IQ platform.

Select a sensor.

Note: Sensors include the Bumper Switch, Distance Sensor (1st gen and 2nd gen), Touch LED, and Color Sensor, Vision Sensor, Optical Sensor, and Gyro Sensor. All sensors follow the same configuration process.

Screenshot of the VEXcode IQ interface displaying the Robot Configuration settings for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showcasing options for setting up and managing robot components and programming.

Select which port the sensor is attached to on the VEX IQ Brain. Ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable. Once the port has been selected, select “Done” to submit the device to the configuration or “Cancel” to return back to the Devices menu.

Note: Selecting “Cancel” will undo any changes you have made to the device and will not be a part of the configuration.


Changing a Sensor’s Port Number

Screenshot showing the 'Select Sensor' window in VEXcode IQ, displaying options for configuring sensors in the VEX IQ Robotics platform, part of the Robot Config section.

You can change the port number for the Sensor by selecting on the Sensor in the Devices window.

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing the Robot Config section, featuring options for configuring VEX IQ robot components and settings for programming educational robotics projects.

Select a different port on the Port Selection screen and the port number will turn green. Then select Done to submit the change. 


Renaming a Sensor

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing the Robot Config section, featuring options for configuring VEX IQ robot settings, including motor and sensor setup for educational robotics projects.

You can also rename the sensor by changing the name in the text box at the top of the Port Selection screen. If you select an invalid name, the text box will highlight red to indicate. Then select Done to submit the device changes to the configuration. 

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface showing the Robot Config section, featuring options for configuring robot settings and components for VEX IQ Robotics platform.

If you change the name of a sensor that is already being used in your project, you will need to update the sensor name in the Block to the new name using the drop down.


Deleting a Sensor

Screenshot of VEXcode IQ interface displaying the Robot Config section, showcasing options for configuring VEX IQ robots, including motor settings, sensor configurations, and programming blocks for educational robotics projects.

Sensors can also be deleted by selecting the “Delete” option at the bottom of the Port Selection screen.

Note: If you delete a sensor that is already being used in your project, your project will not work until you also delete the blocks that were using the deleted sensor.

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

Last Updated: