Identifying Location Details Using the GPS Sensor in the V5RC Spin Up Playground

You can use the GPS Sensor to help you navigate the VRC Spin Up Playground in VEXcode VR, with the (X, Y) coordinates of locations.


How the GPS Sensor Works in VRC Spin Up in VEXcode VR

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing block-based coding options for programming a virtual robot, designed to facilitate learning in STEM education, specifically for the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) robotics competition.

The GPS (Game Positioning System) Sensor, uses the VEX Field Code on the interior of the Field to triangulate X, Y position and heading. That checkerboard pattern in the Field Code is used to identify the location for each individual block in that pattern. The VEX GPS is an absolute position system, so it does not drift nor does it require calibration on a per-field basis.

To sense the Field Code, the VEX GPS Sensor, a black and white camera, is mounted on the rear of the robot and faces rearwards.

The GPS Sensor reports the (X, Y) coordinates of the center of rotation of Disco on the Field, in millimeters or inches.


Identifying (X, Y) Coordinates on the VRC Field

The Field in VRC Spin Up in VEXcode VR ranges from approximately -1800mm to 1800mm for the X and Y positions. The starting location of Disco depends on the starting position selected.

The center location, or the origin (0,0), is located in the center of the Field.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the programming environment for VRC Spin Up (2022-2023), featuring a block-based coding layout designed for learning coding concepts with a virtual robot.


Identifying the (X, Y) Coordinates of the GPS Sensor

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the block-based coding environment for programming a virtual robot, part of the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) educational resources, designed to enhance coding skills and robotics principles for students.

The GPS Sensor can be used to identify the X and Y coordinates of Disco on the Field. These coordinates reflect the location of Disco's center of rotation, which is located between the front wheels, as indicated in this image.

 

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing a block-based coding environment for programming a virtual robot, designed for educational purposes in STEM, particularly for the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) competition.

Reporter blocks from the Sensing category in the Toolbox can be used to report positional values from the GPS Sensor in your project.

Screenshot of the VEXcode VR interface showcasing block-based coding options for programming a virtual robot, designed for educational purposes in the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) competition, emphasizing STEM learning and coding concepts.

The current X and Y coordinates of Disco's GPS Sensor on the Field can be displayed in the Print Console using blocks from the Looks category in the Toolbox.


Using the GPS Sensor to Help Disco Navigate the Field

You can use the GPS Sensor to help Disco navigate the Field by driving to specific locations using your knowledge of the Cartesian coordinate system. Using the GPS Sensor, Disco can drive along the X or Y-axes until the value of the sensor is greater than or less than a threshold value. This allows Disco to drive using sensor feedback instead of set distances.

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing block-based coding options for programming a virtual robot, designed for educational purposes in STEM, specifically for the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) competition.

In this project, Disco will drive forward from starting position C, until the value of the X-axis is greater than -600 millimeters (mm), then stop, placing Disco in front of a disc.

Note: You may have to account for the robot’s inertia or drift when setting your parameters.


GPS Sensor Location and the Center of Rotation on Disco

Image showing the VEXcode VR interface with a virtual robot in the context of VRC Spin Up (2022-2023), illustrating the block-based coding environment used for teaching coding concepts and robotics principles.

The GPS Sensor is mounted in the rear of the robot, whereas Disco's center of rotation is located in the front of the robot.

The GPS Sensor is configured in VRC Spin Up in VEXcode VR to account for this offset (approximately 214 mm), so that the values that are reported reflect the center of rotation of Disco.


(X, Y) Coordinates of Game Elements in VRC Spin Up for VEXcode VR

Knowing the coordinates of game elements, like the Loaders, Rollers, and Barriers, can help you plan your projects in VRC Spin Up in VEXcode VR.

The following reference is provided as a guide, based on the Field setup at the start of each Match, for the approximate center point coordinate locations of the game elements on the VRC Field in the Playground.

Loader Coordinates

Screenshot of the VEXcode VR programming interface showcasing a block-based coding environment, designed for users to learn coding concepts through virtual robotics, as part of the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) educational initiative.

Roller Coordinates

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing block-based coding options and a virtual robot, highlighting features for learning coding concepts in the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) section.

Barrier Coordinates

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing the block-based coding environment for programming a virtual robot, designed to enhance coding skills and robotics principles for students and educators in STEM education.


Identifying the GPS Heading of Disco

Screenshot of VEXcode VR interface showcasing block-based coding options for programming a virtual robot, designed to facilitate STEM education and coding concepts for students and educators in the VRC Spin Up (2022-2023) context.

The GPS Sensor can also be used to identify the GPS heading. The heading ranges from 0 degrees to 359.9 degrees, following a compass heading style.

When using the GPS Sensor to detect location, the GPS heading will remain constant in relation to the Field, regardless of the starting position of the robot.

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

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