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Official Q&A: VEX IQ Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Mix & Match
2997: Hole counting - VEX Hexbug kits - Rule G4.c
I use the term "hole count" to mean "create an exact duplicate of a Mechanism, groups of Mechanisms, up to and including the entire Robot. "
Settled law says that teams may hole count any prior VEX IQ herobot designs. (i.e Huey, Allie, Clawbots, etc.) See G4.c
The VEX HEXBUG Robotics line uses VEX IQ parts and were created by VEX engineers. (Or IQ uses HEXBUG parts) Some of these parts are not part of the bundled Education or Competition kits or not sold as a separate SKU. They are in the allowed parts list. The HEXBUG kits come with instructions on how to use those parts. (Kits range from the simple like the road racer, to the complex like the Off Road Vehicle. )
Since those instructions / designs also come from VEX are those designs allowed to be hole counted? Can you elaborate on how you got to the answer.
As described in clause C of of rule <G4>,
Teams may use Robot plans and code (e.g., the annual Hero Bot, VEXcode configurations, etc.) provided by VEX Robotics or the RECF, but are encouraged to use these Robots, mechanisms, and code only as a starting point that Students modify, improve, or replace as their skills increase. Plans provided by VEX Robotics or the RECF are the only legal plans available for use in competition.
HEXBUG* Build Instructions that were published by VEX Robotics (e.g., the Robotic Strandbeast---a particular favorite of multiple GDC members) are legal plans for use in competition, but as with any other VEX-provided plan Teams are encouraged to modify the plan to make it their own.
Mechanical/structural components from the VEX Robotics by HEXBUG* product line are made legal for use in Robot construction in clause D of rule <R16>. As described in clause F of rule <R15>, electrical components from the VEX Robotics by HEXBUG* line are prohibited on VIQRC Robots.
*The HEXBUG brand is a registered trademark belonging to Spin Master Corp