VEX iq Parts + functions 

 
 
1.Robot Brain  Where programs are 
held, contains pre-loaded 
programs. Has 12 smart 
ports 
 

2. Smart Motor  Converts electrical 

energy from the battery 
into rotational energy. 
Used for turning wheels, 
moving arms, etc.   

3. Bumper switch  Detects obstacles and or 

limit mechanism 
movement. 

4. Distance sensor  Used to measure 

distance and avoid 
obstacles via ultrasonic 
waves. 
 

5. Touch LED  Used for interaction, has 

Red, green and blue 
LEDs. 

6. Smart radio  Enables communication 

with smartphones, 
computers, etc. via 
Bluetooth. 
 

7. Color sensor  Detects color of objects. 

 
8. Robot Controller  Used to control the 
robot. 

9. Controller battery  Provides electrical power 

to the controller. 

10. Robot Battery  Provides electrical power 

to the robot 

11. Gyro Sensor  Measures turn rate and 

calculates direction. 
Used in autonomous 
systems.  

12. Smart cable  Used to connect the 

Robot brain to the smart 
devices e.g. smart motor 

13. Wheel hubs and Tires  Used for rolling and 

powering movement 

14. Shock Absorbers  Used to load 

mechanisms with spring 
energy. 

 
 15. Shaft  Transmits power to allow 
rotation of wheels and 
gears and more. 

16. Shaft bushing  Interfaces with beams 

and plates, allowing the 
shaft to spin and be held 
in a fixed location 
 

17. Tether cable  Connects robot brain to 

the controller allowing 
wired connections. 

18. USB cable  Connects the robot brain 

to the computer to be 
programmed and for 
charging the batteries. 
 

19. 2.4 Ghz radio  Allows for wireless 

connection for driving 
and controlling your 
robot. 

20. Gears  Transmit power from 

gear to another gear and 
or mechanism. 

 
 
21. Rubber shaft collar  Holds objects on shafts 
and or the shaft itself in 
place 

 
22. Beams  Structural part 

23. Plates  Structural part 

24. Connector pins  Used with beams, plates, 

corner connectors, etc. 

25. Standoffs  Maintain desired spacing 

between beams and 
plates. 

26. Corner connector  Make corner connections 

with beams, plates and 
other parts. 

27. Shaft lock plates  Plates that lock into 

shafts allowing design 
components to spin with 
the shaft.   

28. Washers and spacers  Use with shafts, reduces 

friction and maintain 
desired spacing 

 
 29. Pulley and rubber  Used to transfer energy 
belts  via drive belts. 

30. Specialty Beam  Structural parts