Introduction to the VEX IQ (1st gen) Kit – VEX Library

The VEX IQ system has been designed from its conception for an easy, entry level, and there are many resources that will help you get started with your new system.

For more information on VEX IQ Kits refer to the Select a Robot Kit - Get Started with VEX IQ article.

A student in a classroom environment using a VEX IQ Kit to build and design a Code Base robot with many sensors.

This article will provide you with some resources which will help you with assembling your first robot.

Note: throughout this article, you will find links to other VEX Library articles and resources that will provide more detailed information about each of the subjects.

Getting organized

As you start to unpack your VEX IQ Kit, the first thing that becomes obvious — there are a lot of parts. The first steps to success are to identify and organize the parts.

VEX IQ Kit unpacked, with each piece grouped together in neat piles to demonstrate the assortment of pieces in the kit.

Identifying the parts

VEX Robotics separates its VEX IQ parts into three categories:

IQ Electronics
Structure
Motion

The IQ Electronics include things such as the Robot Brain, Controller, Smart Motors, Batteries, Smart Radios, Sensors, and cabling. The Structure parts include all of the plastic parts which are used for assembly such as beams, pins, and connectors. The Motion parts include all of the things which move, such as wheels, gears, sprockets, pulleys, and other accessories.

VEX IQ Super Kit Contents Poster that provides an overview of all of the pieces in a VEX IQ Kit organized into categories.

A very useful tool to identify all these parts is the Super Kit Contents Poster that is included in the Super Kit. The Super Kit Content Poster contains many helpful pieces of information, such as:

A life-size 1:1 illustration of each part. Parts from the kit can be laid directly atop the poster for identification and to reference their size.
The name of the part. The part’s name is used throughout all of VEX’s documentation, instructions, and activities.
The part number. Each part has a unique part number which identifies the part.

The Super Kit Content Posters are also available for purchase to provide more copies for a classroom.

How to use the Storage Bin

The Super Kit comes with a storage bin that has a storage tray which nests conveniently within the top of the bin and a top cover molded to allow storage bins to be safely stacked on one another. The compartments within the storage tray work well for the smaller parts from the kit. Whereas, the larger parts can fit conveniently under the tray.

Storage Bin is shown twice, once to view the storage tray from above and then to view the bin with the tray removed. The tray has compartments to sort pieces, and under the tray large pieces like the Controller, Brain, and Beams are neatly placed.

Multiple kits

If you have multiple kits, such as within a classroom environment, additional organization can be helpful. Once you have established an organizational system for each kit, it may be helpful to create labels or labels with pictures to help students return the parts in the kit to their assigned location.

Multiple kits are shown stacked together, with 12 kits total. One kit has been opened to build a robot and it is sitting to the side. With this many kits, organization is important and it is recommended to label them and store them neatly.

Labeling each of the kits with a unique name is also helpful, such as Kit A, Kit B, Kit C, etc. Labeling the Robot Brain, Controller, Battery, and Battery charger with the unique kit name will help establish which device belongs to which kit. View the Storage and Organization - Get Started with VEX IQ article for more information on storage and organization.

The Pin Tool

The Pin Tool is a valuable aid when assembling a VEX IQ robot. It will assist in many different functions as you build your robot. Within the Plastic Construction System - Construction - VEX IQ article you will find many additional tips to assist you with the tool-less assembly of your robot and also explain how to use the Pin tool.

Diagram of the VEX Pin Tool, with the point in the middle labeled as the Puller, the end of one handle labeled as the Pusher, and the other handle labeled as the Lever.

Powering up

After you become familiar with your kit’s parts and organize your kit, the next step is to prepare your Robot Brain and Controller for use. This will involve installing the Smart Radios into the Robot Brain and the Controller, installing the Controller Battery into the Controller, charging the Controller and charging the Robot Brain Battery.

In addition, your Controller will need to be paired with the Robot Brain and your Robot Brain will need to have its firmware updated.

VEXos Utility app icon.

To assist you with this the Super Kit includes the VEX IQ Control System User Guide and there are also VEX Library articles providing details on how to accomplish each of these tasks. The articles are listed below.

The front cover of the VEX IQ Control System User Guide, with a diagram of many VEX IQ Electronics pieces connecting to an IQ Brain.

Installing Brain and Controller Smart Radios

The Robot Brain and its Controller communicate wirelessly by using Smart Radios. These Smart Radios need to be installed in the devices before the communication can take place.

VEX IQ Smart Radio piece.

The following two articles can assist with installing the Smart Radios

Installing the Controller Battery

The Controller is shipped without its Battery installed. It is a simple procedure to install the Battery and only requires a Phillips screwdriver.

Diagram of a Phillips screwdriver that is being used to tighten the screw on the Controller's battery door.

For more information on how to install the Controller Battery refer to the Battery Installation - Controller for VEX IQ article.

Charging the Controller Battery

Once you have your Controller Battery installed it will need to be charged. Charging your Controller can be done in two easy ways, charging with a USB connection or charging by tethering the Controller to the Robot Brain.

Diagram of a Controller being charged from a laptop using a USB cable.

For more information on how to charge your Controller refer to the Charge - Controller for VEX IQ article.

Charging the IQ Brain Battery

The next step in powering up your VEX IQ system is to charge the Robot Brain Battery. The Robot Brain Battery has its own stand-alone charger.

Diagram of the Robot Battery being placed into the Charger. The Charger is connected to a wall outlet using a power cord.

The Robot Brain Battery can be inserted into a powered charger and the charger has a convenient LED indicator to provide information about the status of the Battery.

Screenshot of a table explaining the 4 meanings of the Charger's indicator light. First is solid green which indicates that the Robot Battery is Charged or not inserted. Second is solid red which indicates that the Battery is Charging. Third is blinking green which indicates an Over Temperature Fault. Lastly, the fourth is blinking red which indicates a Robot Battery Fault.

For more information about charging the Robot Brain battery refer to the Charge - Battery - VEX IQ article.

Inserting in the Robot Brain Battery

After the Robot Brain Battery has been charged, it will need to be inserted into the Robot Brain. This is a very easy step and once complete the Battery is fully integrated with the Robot Brain.

Diagram shows a Battery being connected to an IQ Brain. An arrow indicates that the Battery should be slid into the charging port on the bottom of the Brain. The Battery is oriented with its latch facing away from the Brain, and an icon indicates that it will click into place.

For more information about inserting the Battery into the Robot Brain refer to the Installation and Removal - Battery - VEX IQ article.

Note: when assembling a custom-designed robot, be sure to leave adequate room for access to the Battery.

Pairing the Robot Brain and Controller

After the Robot Brain and the Controller both have charged batteries and installed Smart Radios, you will need to pair the two in order to establish communication. This is accomplished by tethering the two together and powering up the Robot Brain.

Diagram of a Controller being connected to a Brain using a Tether Cable.

Once a Controller and a Robot Brain are successfully paired this will not need to be done again.
For more information regarding pairing a Controller with a Robot Brain refer to the Wireless Connection (Pairing) - Controller for VEX IQ article.

Updating the Firmware

All of the VEX IQ Smart Devices (Robot Brain, Controller, Smart Motor, and Sensors) contain their own internal processors and run special software. This software is the VEX IQ Firmware and is called VEXos. It is important to update your new equipment’s firmware in order for it to function correctly.

Diagram of a Brain connected to a laptop via USB. The Brain and all of its connections are shown, including 5 Smart Port devices and the controller.

For more information on updating your firmware refer to these two articles:

Help with Instructions

There are a number of options for building your first robot. Whether it will be the Clawbot whose instructions came with the Super Kit, one of the many builds found on the VEX Robotics site, or one of the builds found in the STEM Labs, it is recommended to start with a set of instructions in order to familiarize yourself with the VEX IQ system before assembling your first custom-designed robot.

VEX IQ Allie robot build that looks like an alligator and can be built with a VEX IQ kit.

Overview of Build instructions

Front cover of the Rise Hero Bot build instructions. Rise is the Hero Bot for the 2020-2021 VEX IQ Challenge called Rise Above.

One of the types of instructions to build a robot are called Builds. Some are referred to as ‘Hero’ builds. These are starter robots for the VEX IQ Challenge.

Screenshot of three IQ robot Build Instructions that can be downloaded as PDFs.

Builds are either a printed document such as the Clawbot IQ Build Instructions that comes in the Super Kit or a .pdf which can be downloaded from the VEX Robotics site.

Each of these builds includes a set of helpful hints, a complete inventory of all the parts needed, and detailed steps which will guide you throughout the build process.

Overview STEM Lab build instructions

STEM Lab build instructions are part of the IQ STEM Labs fun and educational activities. These instructions include all of the information found in the other builds.

Three IQ STEM Lab tiles in a row, each with an engaging thumbnail and a description of the Lab's curriculum.

Some of the Web versions of the STEM Lab builds have additional navigational aids.

A. Slide show index- navigate by selecting slide.
B. Slide show menu bar - navigate by selecting the circle which is linked to the slide.
C. Advance/Back arrows - advances or backs up the slide show one slide.
D. STEM Lab navigation - provides navigation for the STEM Lab

Helpful hints for using the instructions

A crucial part of the design and the educational process is making mistakes. As you build your first robot you will be experiencing this process. Here are a few hints to help limit some of mistakes that can be made:

List of needed parts for an example build instruction step. Listed is 1 2 by 12 Beam, 6 1 by 1 Connector Pins, and 1 Smart Motor.

Inventory of parts - Be sure to collect all the correct parts prior to starting each step.

Build instruction step is shown as an example. In this step, the Smart Motor piece is connected to a Beam using 6 1 by 1 Connector Pins. Green lines are highlighted to demonstrate the exact location of each piece. Text reads Pay close attention to the green llines in the step images. They will indicate how the parts should be connected.

Assembly notes and Green lines - Many of the illustrations for assembly will have assembly notes and green lines to indicate where parts should go.

Build instruction step is shown as an example. In this step, wheels are attached to a Beam using Shaft pieces. An icon in the upper right corner indicates that the wheel's orientation should be noted and that they should face outwards.

Orientation of parts - Pay close attention to the orientation of parts within the illustrations. For example, a wheel put on backwards may rub against the robot's chassis.

Build instruction step is shown as an example. There is an icon of a robot with binoculars, and two Gears shown above it. Text reads Make sure to line up gears as shown.

Special watch areas - Certain steps require extra attention when assembling. These steps will have a ‘special watch’ icon.

Build instruction step is shown as an example. In this step, cables are connecting a Brain to two Smart Motors and the Smart Ports are noted. Numbers indicate the specific port for each motor, one in Port 6 and one in Port 1.

Notations for connecting cables - When connecting Smart Cables between a device and the Robot Brain the number notation indicates the Smart Port number on the Robot Brain the cable needs to be plugged into.

Assembly tips

In addition to the many tips which are provided in the build instructions, here are some additional general assembly tips which will assist you with your first robot.

Sizing system for parts

The VEX IQ system uses different sizing systems for different types of parts. Substituting the wrong size part for an instruction set is very easy. However, most times the substitution does not work as you continue through the assembly. An understanding of the sizing systems can be very helpful.

Structural parts - Structural parts such as Beams and Plates are sized by a pitch system, this is the number of notches on the side of the plastic structure. For more information refer to the Beams and Plates - Construction - VEX IQ article.
Pins and connectors - The connectors used for the IQ system are sized by the number thicknesses of plastic they can be inserted through. For more information refer to the Connectors and Standoffs - Construction - VEX IQ article.
Wheels - The wheels used on IQ robots are sized by the distance they will travel with one rotation. For more information refer to the Wheels - Construction - VEX IQ article.
Gears, sprockets, and pulleys - The gears, sprockets, and pulleys which are used on the IQ robot to transfer power from the Smart Motors are sized by either their number of teeth or their diameter. For more information refer to the How to use VEX Plastic Gears, Sprockets, and Pulleys article.

Assembling chain and tank treads

Diagram of 4 steps to assemble chain and tank treads together.

The VEX IQ system has chains and tank treads which can be used with sprockets. These parts are assembled by connecting individual links together and this allows for custom lengths to be used between sprockets. The links can be assembled by bringing two together at a slight angle, aligning the hole on one link with the boss on the next. Then twist the two links until they snap together as a unit.

To disassemble to chain/tank tread links, reverse the procedure.

Chain or tank tread being assembled on the teeth of a sprocket piece so that they can be connected more easily.

One technique which may help when connecting the two ends of an assembled chain/tank tread is to lay the chain/tank tread on a sprocket while connecting the two ends.

What is next?

Once you have assembled your first robot, you can now program it! The Coding with VEXcode IQ - Get Started with VEX IQ article will help you get started with programming your robot.

The next adventure will be designing your own robot. When you are ready to start building your first custom-designed robot, the following articles will assist you: