Configuring a 2-Motor Drivetrain in VEXcode IQ (2nd gen)

Using VEX IQ (1st generation)? See this article.

When starting to program with VEXcode IQ (2nd gen), 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. 


Adding a Drivetrain

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

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

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

Select the generation that you are working with.

Screenshot showing the 'Add a Device' option in the VEX IQ Robot Configuration interface, illustrating the process of connecting and configuring devices for educational robotics projects.

Select “Add a device.”

Diagram of a VEX IQ 2-Motor Drivetrain configuration, illustrating the layout and connections of motors and components for building a robot, relevant to educational robotics and programming with VEXcode IQ.

Select 'Drivetrain 2-Motor.'

Note: To configure a 4-Motor Drivetrain, see this article.

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config section, displaying various robot configuration options and settings for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, aimed at educators and beginners in robotics.

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

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config section, displaying components and settings for configuring VEX IQ robots, including visual aids and programming options to assist educators and students in building and programming their robots.

The IQ (2nd gen) Brain has a built in gyro that is referred to as the "Brain Inertial" to distinguish it from the external Gyro that is added when configuring for an IQ (1st gen) Brain. To configure this gyro, select 'Brain Inertial'. 

Note: the 'Brain Inertial' gyro built into the (2nd gen) Brain turns clockwise- while the (1st gen) gyro turns counter-clockwise. 

Screenshot of completed motor configuration settings for VEX IQ robotics platform, illustrating the setup process for configuring motors in VEXcode IQ software.

You will notice that the Brain Inertial icon appears in the upper right corner of the Devices window.

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

Screenshot showing the VEX IQ Robot Configuration interface, displaying options for setting up and customizing robot components for educational robotics projects.

You can change the port numbers for the Left Motors and Right Motors in the Drivetrain by selecting a plug icon in the top right corner of the Options screen.

Screenshot showing the configuration options for VEX IQ robots, including visual representations of robot components and programming settings, aimed at guiding users in building and programming their VEX IQ systems.

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

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config section, displaying configuration options and settings for the VEX IQ Robotics platform, designed for educational purposes and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

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


Changing a Drivetrain’s Gear Ratio

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config section, showcasing various components and settings for building and programming VEX IQ robots, aimed at educational purposes and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

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


Reversing a Drivetrain

Screenshot showing the Robot Config section of the VEX IQ knowledge base, featuring information on robot setup, components, and programming resources for educational robotics enthusiasts.

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


Deleting a Drivetrain

Screenshot of the VEX IQ Robot Config section, displaying key components and settings for configuring VEX IQ robots, aimed at educational and beginner robotics enthusiasts.

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

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

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