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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back

Usage Guidelines All Questions

2955: <R20> Clarification and framework for enforcing/validating legal and illegal anti slip mat

Oscar McCullough (Event Partner)
1-Dec-2025

Note: This question was modified by the GDC to remove a link that required login.

<R20>

Hello,

I am asking for some clarification and a follow up on a previous Q&A ruling: https://events.vex.com/V5RC/2025-2026/QA/2817. From this it is determined that anti-slip mat that is not purchased from VEX Robotics is not legal for competition use. However, at least in my region and at other events in other regions I've gone to, I've seen inconsistencies in this being applied.

A few questions I have:

  • Is there a framework or set of guidelines for determining if anti slip mat is legal or not? Is it by feeling it, inspecting thickness, some other measurable property? Based on the age of the matting that teams use, this could change and have a lot of variance and doesn't strike me as a solid test.
  • To be more concrete, I did a comparison of this anti slip mat here: https://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-x-72-inch-mesh-nonslip-drawer-liner-67055.html, with the thick version of the VEX anti-slip mat, which is at a .125" thickness.
  • It would be hard to distinguish for the untrained eye, and even the trained eye.
R20  
Answered by committee
4-Dec-2025

Oscar,

Thanks for your question.

VEX anti slip mat is similar to many commercially available products, and because it does not have any distinct branding, printing, or logos, we understand it may be difficult to determine with absolute certainty whether a piece of anti slip mat used on a robot was purchased from VEX Robotics or not. As is the case with many other VEX legal parts and materials, identification relies on a reasonable assessment of the information you have available to you rather than a guaranteed verification.

Here are some practical indicators that can help referees and inspectors make an informed decision:

  1. Color: VEX anti slip mat is only offered in black. If the material on a robot is any color besides black, it is NOT legal for use.

  2. Surface Pattern & Thickness: The VEX anti slip mats have distinctive textures and thickness. Comparing material on a robot to a known legal sample is a reasonable way to spot discrepancies. If the pattern or profile is very obviously not a match to either VEX variant, or if the material feels noticeably different, it is likely not VEX anti slip mat.

  3. Sheet Size: VEX anti slip mat is offered in sheets that measure 12" x 15". If material on a robot measures larger than this in one or both dimensions, without seams, it cannot originate from a VEX anti slip mat sheet, and is not legal for use.

Ultimately, teams and inspectors should think of anti slip mat similarly to how they know and understand VEX metal, structural components, and other parts are legal for use: "You generally know a part when you see it, and you generally know when something doesn't quite look right."

If a clear determination cannot be made, inspectors and referees should work with the team for further clarification, request reasonable purchasing/source documentation if possible, and/or guide the team towards a clearly legal alternative.