VEX U

Overview

VEX U is the collegiate division of the VEX Robotics Competition. The team competes against other universities for playing field dominance in various games involving shooting balls, stacking cubes, or throwing irregular objects. The UMN VEX U team also presents about our design process to compete for various awards.

The team designs two complementary robots for each game, each going through multiple revisions. The robots are constructed mainly out of VEX EDR components, with additional machined and 3D printed parts. The team focuses on mechanical design along with programming skills to develop advanced autonomous routines.

Why Join?

If you're interested in fast-paced competition and strategy, check out ARC. Northstar builds for a competition where performance and decision making, play a large role in success. You'll receive experience in:

Iterating around game strategy and objectives
Mechanical and electrical systems built for speed and reliability
Computer vision and controls

What you'll work on

Analyzing game rules and strategy
Designing robots for maximum scoring potential
Integrating mechanical, electrical, and control systems
Developing driver controls and system responsiveness
Testing and refining performance through practice matches
Iterating designs based on gameplay

Subteams

Mechanical

Designs the robot’s structure, drivetrain, and excavation system.

Focus Areas:

Excavation mechanism design
Chassis and drivetrain architecture
CAD modeling and design iteration
fabrication, assembly, and integration
subsystem testing and performance tuning

Software

Develops autonomy, controls, and logic for autonomous and teleoperative periods

Focus Areas

Autonomous routines for maximum scoring
Teleoperation for driver control
Tuning for accuracy, timing, and consistency
Strategizing for skills challenges

Meet the Leads

Noah Williams

Project Lead

Noah Willard

Mechanical Lead

Daniel Kohler

Software Lead

Ready to Join?

No experience is required, we'll teach you what you need to know. New members start by joining a subteam, learning the basics, and contributing to ongoing builds.

Come to a meeting, talk to a lead, or join our communication channels to get started.