Official Q&A: VEX IQ Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Mix & Match

In the game manual, it vaguely touches on the topic of what is classified as ‘driver control’ and what is legal during driver skills and teamwork matches. So, we were wondering, is it legal to run an autonomous code during a teamwork or driver skills match, and if so, to what extent? Below are a few scenarios, we would appreciate if you could let us know if they are legal, as well as if in general, it is acceptable to have a program control the robot in teamwork and driver skills.

1. Having a short program, so when a button is pressed on the controller, a 4 bar lift is raised to a specific height.
2. Having a program, so when a button is pressed, the robot will reverse towards the centre orange goal, then score a beam on the stake, by lowering a 4 bar lift and releasing a pneumatic piston.
3. Having a program, where a button on the controller is pressed, then the robot will drive and turn, creating a stack of 2 pins, but not scoring them.
4. Having a program, where a button is pressed on the controller, then the robot autonomously navigates the field for the entire minute, scoring points.

This was legal last season, an example being at worlds, with the strategy nicknamed ‘China load’ or ‘phase load’, which required essentially no driver control, using a vision sensor to determine when the ball was loaded, and then collecting and passing it automatically, before automatically repeating.

Thanks, we look forward to your response!

-52111A

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