VEX U

VEX U is a variant of the VEX Robotics Competition for college students. VEX U uses the same gameplay and scoring rules as VRC. However, instead of building a single robot and working together with another team, VEX U teams build two or more complimentary robots, which allows VEX U robots to work together and complement each other's capabilities more closely. In addition, VEX U robots can be built using a much wider array of materials and construction techniques than in VRC, which allows university teams to embrace advanced manufacturing and design robots with more functionality packed into a smaller volume. VEX U also puts a greater emphasis on robot sensing and autonomous operation, with the autonomous period lengthened from 15 seconds to 45 seconds, and the driver-controlled period shortened accordingly to 75 seconds.

Current Game: Spin Up

VEX U teams use the same gameplay and scoring rules as the VEX Robotics Competition. The VRC Spin Up field comprises 60 discs, 2 high goals, 2 low goals, and 2 rollers. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by scoring discs in goals, owning rollers by rotating them so your alliance color faces up, and by contacting as many field tiles as possible at the end of the match.

Our Support

The WV Robotics Alliance supports VEX U teams at universities across West Virginia with training and mentorship. In addition, the WV Robotics Alliance hosts the West Virginia VEX U Qualifier, which is held in early March at the Fairmont State University Falcon Center. The WV VEX U Qualifier draws teams from across the eastern US and is consistently one of the world's largest VEX U events.

VEX U is presented by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. The REC Foundation’s mission is to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable robotics engineering programs.


For more information about VEX U or to register a team, visit the REC Foundation website: