VEX IQ Robotics Competition – Level Up (2026–2027)
Introducing the latest challenge for young engineers in the VEX IQ: LEVEL UP. This season's game emphasizes creative problem-solving, teamwork, and systematic object sorting, while providing a clear and accessible game structure that helps teams quickly understand the challenge and develop effective robot designs.
1. Match Format
• Teamwork Challenge: A teamwork-focused competition in which two teams are randomly paired as alliance partners for each match, working together to achieve the highest possible score. There are no opposing teams.
• Match Duration: 1 Minute (60 Seconds)
• Robot Skills Match: An individual skills challenge that allows teams to demonstrate their robot's performance through two events: Driving Skills (driver-controlled) and Autonomous Coding Skills (fully autonomous), with 1 minute allocated for each event.
2. Game Concept & Scoring
• Bean Bags: The new scoring objects introduced this season, designed to challenge teams' robot intake mechanisms as well as their object handling and sorting capabilities.
• Level Up Structures: The field features elevated scoring structures with multiple levels, where teams earn increasing rewards by moving, stacking, and delivering Bean Bags to higher levels. Higher placements may also provide score multipliers or additional bonus scoring opportunities.
• Starting & Preloads: Before match begins, robots must be placed within their designated starting areas and may be equipped with preloaded game objects (Preloads) in accordance with the official competition rules.
3. Key Rules
• Driver Switch Rule: One of the most important rules of the competition. Between 0:35 and 0:25 remaining (a 10-second switch window), Driver 1 must hand over the controller to Driver 2. Failure to switch drivers will result in 0 point.
• Student-Centered Identity: As with all official VEX competitions, the design, construction, and programming of the robot must be completed entirely by the student team members.
• Handling & Field Contact: During a match, teams may only touch their robot when permitted by the referee and under the conditions specified in the official rules. Any unauthorized interaction or damage to field elements may result in penalties that affect the team's match score.
