Troubleshooting the VEX IQ (2nd gen) Inertial Sensor using Deep Calibration

Calibrating the VEX IQ (2nd gen) Inertial Sensor can sometimes result in an incorrect calibration, where the heading and rotation readings are inaccurate by a noticeable degree. In order to obtain the correct readings, the Inertial Sensor will need to be deep calibrated.

For example, when the Brain is rotated 360 degrees, the Inertial Sensor will report a 357 degree heading and rotation.

Brain screen is shown with the Inertial Sensor Dashboard opened and with the Rotation and Heading values highlighted. Both values read 357.05.

Watch this video or view the steps below on how to deeply calibrate the Inertial Sensor.


Deep Calibration of the VEX IQ (2nd gen) Inertial Sensor

Brain is shown with the Inertial Sensor Dashboard opened and with its Left and Right buttons highlighted.

Place the Brain on a flat surface, such as a table.

Turn on the Brain and navigate to the Inertial Sensor screen using the Dashboard.

Hold down the arrow buttons for about 5 seconds.

Brain is shown after the Deep Calibration menu has been opened. The screen is orange and reads Start Calibration. Icons indicate that the X button can be pressed to Cancel or the Check button can be pressed to Proceed.

The following orange screen will appear. Place the brain against a flat surface, such as a wall or a large book, to ensure the front alignment remains consistent.

Brain with its Check button highlighted.

Then, press the check button.

Diagram of a Brain with arrows indicating that it should be rotated 360 degrees. The direction and turning speed do not matter.

Rotate the Brain 360 degrees, making sure to return it flat against the surface.

Note: The turning speed of the brain does not matter.

Brain with its Check button highlighted.

Press the check button again.

Brain is shown after the Deep Calibration has finished. The screen is orange and reads Save? Icons indicate that the X button can be pressed to Cancel or the Check button can be pressed to Confirm.

The orange "Save?" screen will appear. Select the check button on the brain to save the calibration.

Brain screen is shown with the Inertial Sensor Dashboard opened and with the Rotation and Heading values highlighted. The Heading value now reads 359.82 and the Rotation value reads negative 360.18.

The Inertial Sensor readings should now be less than 0.5 degrees off.

VEX IQ Fling Hero Bot build with the Brain mounted vertically on the robot's side, indicating that certain builds have different Brain orientations.

Deep calibrating will only remain accurate in the same orientation as the calibration. For example, when building Fling, the VIQC 2021-2022 Hero Bot, the Brain is mounted vertically. If the Brain is calibrated horizontally on a table, the deep calibration will need to be redone if the Brain is mounted vertically on Fling.

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

Last Updated: