Using VEX IQ (1st generation)? See this article.
The Drive program is a default program built into the VEX IQ Robot Brain so it can be used with Smart Motors, Bumper Switches, and the VEX IQ Controller without programming. The Drive program maps the Controller’s joysticks and buttons to control specific Smart Ports on the Brain.
Learn about using the Driver Control program on the Brain.
Step 1: Check that the Smart Ports are properly wired.
| Smart Port Number | Device Type | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smart Motor | Turns using Joystick A |
| 2 | Bumper Switch | Stops R Down button from turning Smart Motor in Port 4 |
| 3 | Bumper Switch | Stops R Up button from turning Smart Motor in Port 4 |
| 4 | Smart Motor | Turns using R buttons |
| 5 | Smart Motor | Turns using F buttons |
| 6 | Smart Motor | Turns using Joystick D |
| 7 | Smart Motor | Turns using Joystick A |
| 8 | Bumper Switch | Stops L Down button from turning Smart Motor in Port 10 |
| 9 | Bumper Switch | Stops L Up button from turning Smart Motor in Port 10 |
| 10 | Smart Motor | Turns using L buttons |
| 11 | Smart Motor | Turns using E buttons |
| 12 | Smart Motor | Turns using Joystick D |
- Check that Smart Ports 1-12 have the correct types of devices listed in the table above. Note that not ALL devices in all 12 ports have to be connected in order for this program to run. The above is an example list of which devices could be used in which ports.
- Check that the Controller is wirelessly connected.
NOTE: To review how to connect devices to Smart Ports properly, see this article.
Step 2: Find and Run the Drive program
There is a program already built into the Brain that allows you to drive the BaseBot using the Controller without having to write any code. Follow the steps below to learn how to run the Driver Control program on the Brain.
Press the checkmark to select the highlighted Drive program.
Press the checkmark again to run the program.
As the program is running, the Brain's screen will look like this image.
To stop the program, select the x button.
Controller Configurations
There are four different configurations of the Driver Control program on the Brain: Left Arcade, Right Arcade, Split Arcade, and Tank drive. Follow the steps below to learn what each of the four configurations are and how to select them on the Brain.
Press the checkmark to select the highlighted Drive program.
Use the arrows to highlight the "Controls" option.
Press the checkmark to select the highlighted Controls option.
Toggle through the four different drive options by pressing the checkmark.
Each of the four driver control options allows you to control the BaseBot using the joysticks in different ways.
| Configuration | Description | Joystick Controls |
|---|---|---|
|
Left Arcade Drive the BaseBot forward, reverse, left, and right all using the left joystick. |
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Right Arcade Drive the BaseBot forward, reverse, left, and right all using the right joystick. |
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Split Arcade Drive the BaseBot left and right using the left joystick, and forward and reverse using the right joystick. |
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Tank Drive Drive the left motor of the BaseBot using the left joystick, and the right motor of the BaseBot using the right joystick. |
Customizing Driver Control
To further customize the Driver Control program you can use the ‘Controls’ window to:
- Change the direction of the motor movement for each set of buttons by reversing the direction from ‘Forward’ to ‘Reverse’, as shown in these images.
Change which buttons are used to control which motors:
- Change which port the motor is physically plugged into on the Brain
- Look at the ‘Controls’ window to check that your motor is connected the desired buttons
- A connected port will show a green icon (as port 5 shows in the image to the right), while a disconnected port will show a white icon (as ports 4 and 11 show in this image).