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

<G4>

The Judge Advisor and I keep going back and forth as to whether or not using the Hero Bot with no modifications to it should be a violation or not during inspection.

Rule G4, part C states: 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.

Would a team be in violation if they were to build a Hero Bot with no modifications? I would say yes that it is a violation if you're just copying the robot and not making it your own. Just removing the sensors from the Hero Bot shows that it's no longer an exact copy.

Rule G4 part C suggests that teams can use the Hero Bot as a starting point. It seems that if teams are struggling to come up with a design, here's a design to get you started. The rule continues to say "that Students modify, improve, or replace as their skills increase," which seems that students should modify the robot to make it their own.

The other parts of Rule G4 state the following: Part A: Teams must avoid academic dishonesty and should not copy a Robot or mechanism that has been provided for them. Part B i and ii: Mentions that Using elements of another design as a starting point is acceptable as long as the team makes the design uniquely their own or else it will be in violation.

The Hero Bot is provided by VEX Robotics or the RECF, and so these are legal plans available for use in competition. Does copying the Hero Bot override everything else that's said about copying a robots design stated in Rule G4 part A and B?

Any clarification/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!