Using the IQ 26-27 Level Up Playground Window

The VEX IQ Robotics Competition Level Up Playground is a virtual representation of the Field for the VEX IQ Robotics Competition Level Up (2026-2027) Competition game. The Playground Window is a space for the Hero Bot, Flop, to interact and move to play Level Up Virtual Skills.

Top-down view of Flop in the Level Up Playground window on the virtual competition field


How to Start, Stop, and Reset a Project 

Start button in the Playground window controls used to begin the Level Up simulation

Select the Start button to start a project.

This button will change to a Stop button when a project is actively running.

Stop button shown in place of the Start button while a project is running in the Level Up Playground

Selecting the Stop button will stop the project and the timer immediately.

The Match Results Window will appear at this time. See below for more information on the Match Results Window.

Reset button highlighted in the Level Up Playground window controls

Select the Reset button to reset the timer, point value, and Field.


Viewing Your Score and the Timer 

Score display in the upper-left corner of the Playground window

Your score can be seen above the Field on the left side. This will be updated in real-time while the project is running.

Match timer in the upper-right corner of the Playground window

The timer is located above the Field on the right side.

The timer begins when a project is started and counts down from 1:00. The timer will count down until Stop is selected, the Stop project block is used in the project, or the timer reaches 0 seconds.


Using the Match Results Window

When a project is stopped, or the timer hits 0 seconds, the Match Results window will appear.

Match Results window showing the total score and team name for the Level Up Virtual Skills project

The total score for the project will be shown, along with the name of the team.

Match Results window with the Retry button highlighted

Select the Retry button to return to the Field and reset the timer and score.

Match Results window with the X button highlighted in the top-left corner

Select the X in the top-left corner to close the Match Results Window and return to the Field.

This will not reset the Field, timer, or score. It will return to the Field exactly as it was at the moment the project was stopped.


Expanding the Playground Window

Expand button in the top-left corner of the Playground window

The Playground window begins at a smaller size by default. If you want to expand the window, select the Expand button at the top-left corner.

Shrink button in the top-left corner of the expanded Playground window

Select the Shrink button in the top-left corner to return the window to the default size.


Hiding and Showing the Playground Window

Hide button in the Playground window toolbar

Select the Hide button to collapse the Playground Window. This will still keep the toolbar at the top of the window visible.

Collapsed Playground window with the Show button visible in the toolbar

To view the full Playground Window again, select the Show button.


Selecting Different Camera Views 

Top Camera button in the Playground window controls

Select the Top Camera button to see an overhead view of the entire Field. This is the default view when you open the Level Up Playground Window.

Chase Camera button in the Playground window controls

Select the Chase Camera button to see a behind-the-robot view.

Driver Station Camera button in the Playground window controls

Select the Driver Station Camera button to see a perspective view, as if you were standing at the Driver Station by the Field.


Using the Match Load Buttons

Red and blue Loading Zone buttons on the right side of the Playground window, each showing a count of four

The Match Load buttons are located on the right side of the Playground Window. While a project is running, select the red or blue button to place a Bean Bag of that color in the Loading Zone for Flop to interact with.

Bean Bag placed in the Loading Zone on the Level Up field with the Loading Zone buttons unavailable

Only one Bean Bag can be in the Loading Zone at a time. The buttons cannot be selected again until the current Bean Bag and the robot has been moved out of the Loading Zone.

Loading Zone buttons showing the remaining Bean Bag counts and is grayed out as the button cannot be clicked again.

The number on each button shows how many Bean Bags of that color are still available to place. Each count begins at four and decreases by one each time a Bean Bag of that color is placed.


Viewing AI Vision

AI Vision button in the lower-right Playground controls, above the camera buttons

Select the AI Vision button to view the AI Vision camera viewer.

AI Vision viewer showing X, Y, width, and height values for detected Bean Bag game elements in the Playground window

Data from the AI Vision will appear in a window to the left side of the Field. Here you will see the camera view from the AI Vision sensor, with data about any game elements in view.

To learn more about using AI Vision in the Level Up Playground, view the Blocks and Python support in the VEX API (Coming Soon).


Viewing Additional Information

Info button below the timer in the Playground window

Select the Info icon to open the User and Hardware Information window.

Graphics and Performance Summary window showing system performance details for the Level Up Playground

Data about your device will be displayed in the User and Hardware Information window. This can be used to help troubleshoot any performance issues.

Select the X button in the upper-left corner to close the window and return to the Playground.

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

Last Updated: