Using the VEX GO Sensors – VEX Library

Using GO Sensors allows parts of the VEX GO system to interact with the world around them. GO Sensors include the Electromagnet, Eye Sensor, and LED Bumper.

Electromagnet

How do I connect the Electromagnet to the Brain?

Electromagnet with its cable plugged into one of the Brain's Smart Ports.

Connect the Electromagnet to the Brain by inserting the Electromagnet Cable into one of the four Smart Ports on the Brain.

Diagram of two Brains with device cables plugged into their Smart Ports. On the left the device cable is plugged in fully and there is a green check mark, while on the right the device cable is only plugged in partially and there is a red X.

Ensure that the Electromagnet Cable is fully inserted into the Smart Port on the Brain. A ‘click’ sound will ensure that the cable is seated fully into the Smart Port.

How can I use the Electromagnet with my VEX GO system?

Diagram of all of the colored Disk pieces in the VEX GO Kit. The colors include Red, Green, and Blue.

The Electromagnet can be used to pick up and drop disks.

Diagram of a Code Base robot with a device cable from an Electromagnet plugged into a Smart Port on the Brain. The Battery Cable is also shown plugged into the Battery Port on the opposite side of the Brain. The used Ports are highlighted in red circles.

To control the Electromagnet with the Brain, ensure the Electromagnet and Battery are connected to the Brain.

VEXcode GO workspace with a connected Brain and a Blocks project that controls the Electromagnet. The project reads When started, energize electromagnet to boost, wait 2 seconds, and finally energize electromagnet to drop.

Then, program the Electromagnet using VEXcode GO. View the Robot Config articles to learn more about blocks from the ‘Magnet’ category in VEXcode GO.

Eye Sensor

How do I connect the Eye Sensor to the Brain?

Brain with its blue-green Eye Sensor Port highlighted.

Locate the blue-green Eye Sensor Port on the Brain.

Brain with an Eye Sensor Cable plugged into its blue-green Eye Sensor Port.

Connect the Eye Sensor to the Brain by inserting the blue-green Eye Sensor Cable into the blue-green Eye Sensor Port on the Brain.

Diagram of two Brains with Eye Sensor Cables plugged into their Eye Sensor Ports. On the left the Eye Sensor Cable is plugged in fully and there is a green check mark, while on the right the Eye Sensor Cable is only plugged in partially and there is a red X.

Ensure that the blue-green Eye Sensor Cable is fully inserted into the blue-green Eye Sensor Port on the Brain. A ‘click’ sound will ensure that the cable is seated fully into the port.

Diagram of a hand pressing down the Brain's power button to turn it off and then on again.

The Eye Sensor must be attached to the Brain before powering the Brain on in order to work properly. If the Eye Sensor is attached or removed after the Brain has already been powered on, the Brain must be power cycled (turned off and then back on) in order for the Eye Sensor to function properly.

How can I use the Eye Sensor with my VEX GO system?

Diagram of an Eye Sensor pointing towards a red Disk and reporting the color red.

The Eye Sensor can be used to detect if an object is near, and if so, determine the color of that object.

Diagram of a Code Base robot with an Eye Sensor Cable and a Battery Cable plugged into their respective ports on the Brain. The used Ports are highlighted in red circles.

To control the Eye Sensor with the Brain, ensure the Eye Sensor and Battery are connected to the Brain.

VEXcode GO workspace with a connected Brain and a Blocks project that uses the Eye Sensor. The project reads When started, spin base right, wait until eye found an object, and finally stop base.

Then, program the Eye Sensor using VEXcode GO. View the Robot Config articles to learn more about blocks from the ‘Sensing’ category in VEXcode GO.

LED Bumper

How do I connect the LED Bumper to the Brain?

LED Bumper with its cable plugged into one of the Brain's Smart Ports.

Connect the LED Bumper to the Brain by inserting the LED Bumper Cable into one of the four Smart Ports on the Brain.

Ensure that the LED Bumper Cable is fully inserted into the Smart Port on the Brain. A ‘click’ sound will ensure that the cable is seated fully into the Smart Port.

How can I use the LED Bumper with my VEX GO system?

Diagram of a hand pressing the LED Bumper on a GO robot.

The LED Bumper can be used as a switch to trigger actions when pressed. For example, the LED Bumper can be used to start the Drivetrain when pressed.

Side by side diagram of the LED Bumper piece, showing it glowing no color, green, and red.

The LED Bumper can also be used to display red, green, or no color (off).

Diagram of a Code Base robot with a device cable from an LED Bumper plugged into a Smart Port on the Brain. The Battery Cable is also shown plugged into the Battery Port on the opposite side of the Brain. The used Ports are highlighted in red circles.

To control the LED Bumper with the Brain, ensure the LED Bumper and Battery are connected to the Brain.

VEXcode GO workspace with a connected Brain and a Blocks project that uses the LED Bumper. The project reads When started, set bumper to red, wait 3 seconds, and finally set bumper to green.

Then, program the LED Bumper using VEXcode GO. View the Robot Config articles to learn more about blocks from the ‘Sensing’ and ‘Looks’ categories in VEXcode GO.