Configuring a 4-Motor Drivetrain in VEXcode IQ (1st gen) – VEX Library

Using VEX IQ (2nd generation)? See this article.

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

You can only configure one Drivetrain per project.

If you are configuring a Drivetrain without a Gyro Sensor, see this article

Adding a Drivetrain

Icon representing the 'Select the Devices' window in VEX IQ Robotics platform, used for configuring robot settings and managing connected devices in VEXcode IQ.

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

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config interface, displaying options and settings for configuring VEX IQ robotics systems, aimed at educators and beginners in robotics.

Select the generation that you are working with.

Screenshot showing the steps to add a 1st generation VEX IQ device in the Robot Config section, illustrating the user interface and options available for configuring VEX IQ robotics systems.

Select “Add a device.”

Diagram illustrating the selection of a 4-motor drivetrain configuration for VEX IQ robots, showcasing motor placement and connections, relevant for educational robotics and programming within the VEX IQ platform.

Select "Drivetrain 4-Motor."

Note: To configure a 2-Motor Drivetrain, see this article.

Diagram illustrating the selection of motors for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, showing various motor options and configurations for building and programming robots in educational settings.

Select which ports the Left Motors, Right Motors, and the Gyro Sensor are attached to on the VEX IQ Brain. Ports that are already configured for other devices will be unavailable.

Screenshot showing the 'Select Done' option in the VEX IQ Robot Configuration interface, illustrating the process of configuring a robot for educational robotics projects.

Once the Drivetrain has been configured, 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 Drivetrain’s Port Numbers

Diagram showing the process of changing motor port numbers on a VEX IQ robot, illustrating the configuration settings necessary for programming and controlling the robot's motors effectively.

You can change the port numbers for the Left Motors, Right Motors or Gyro in the Drivetrain by selecting the device’s plug icon in the top right corner of the Options screen.

Diagram showing the configuration of ports for a 4-motor setup in the VEX IQ Robotics platform, illustrating connections and layout for 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.

Changing a Drivetrain’s Wheel Size

Diagram illustrating wheel size options for the VEX IQ robotics platform, highlighting different motor configurations in the context of robot building and programming.

You can change the wheel size for the Drivetrain by selecting the drop down menu under “Wheel Size.”

Changing a Drivetrain’s Gear Ratio

Diagram illustrating the gear ratio configuration for a VEX IQ robot, showcasing the arrangement of motors and gears for optimal performance in robotics projects.

You can change the gear ratio for the Drivetrain by entering values in the “Input” and “Output” boxes.

Reversing a Drivetrain

Diagram of a reverse drivetrain configuration for a 4-motor setup in VEX IQ robotics, illustrating the arrangement and connections of motors and components for educational and project purposes.

The Options screen also allows the direction of the Drivetrain to be reversed.

Deleting a Drivetrain

Diagram illustrating the process for deleting the first generation motor configuration in VEX IQ robotics, showcasing step-by-step instructions relevant to robot setup and programming.

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