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

In Q&A 1106: Distance and Optical Sensor Modification (from 2022-2023 VRC season), the committee ruled: rotating the sensor block 90° relative to its base is allowed - “Yes; this is an intended user-serviceable feature of the V5 Optical Sensor and V5 Distance Sensor.”

Q&A 1326 (VURC 2022-2023) revisited that limitation for VEX U use: it concluded “Yes, VEX U teams may manufacture custom back plates for the V5 Optical and Distance sensors using permitted materials and methods, providing the electronics of the sensors are not modified.”

Since these are both from previous seasons, we would like to revisit these questions and re-answer them for the Push Back season. 1. For teams using a V5 Optical Sensor or V5 Distance Sensor: is it legal to temporarily remove the sensor’s original backing (base) in order to rotate the sensor block 90°, then remount the original backing and reinstall the sensor on the robot?

2. For VEX U teams: is it legal to permanently remove the original backing (base plate) and instead mount the sensor electronics to a custom backing (made from permitted materials), given that no electronics themselves are modified?