VEX Robotics / Innovation First (USA) VEX IQ (1)

$499.99 – $729.99 (kits)VEX store prices (September 2026) are Education Kit (2nd gen) $499.99 and Competition Kit (2nd gen) $729.99, with classroom bundles of 5–15 Education Kits from $2,739.99. 1st-generation kits are discontinued. VEX says the IQ system launched in 2012.

AvailableVia SSH / web / bridgeSnap-togetherCompetitionPython/C++Grades 5–8

≤ 1 weekShipping: In stock at VEX. Sold directly by VEX Robotics (Education Kit listed in stock) and through US education resellers. VEX Robotics ↗

Remote control: VEXcode IQ on a laptop compiles block, Python or C++ programs and downloads them to the Brain over USB or radio. No live laptop API.

VEX IQ ↗Wikipedia (VEX Robotics) ↗

Overview

The plastic, tool-free sibling of VEX V5, built for the VEX IQ Robotics Competition for elementary and middle school students. Parts snap together with pins, and the second generation added a laser distance sensor and a lithium-ion battery. A strong alternative to LEGO for competition teams.

Specifications

Category	Modular & reconfigurable · Consumer & education kits
Released	2012
Availability	Available
Programmability	Full SDK
Best for	Ages 11+ (maker rating)
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	DC / gear motors
Audio	Speaker
Compute type	Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller
Remote control	Via SSH / web / bridge
Size	Plastic snap-together pieces, robot size varies
Locomotion	Any build, Smart Motors for drive, lifts and arms
Compute	VEX IQ Robot Brain with color screen
Camera	Optical (color/gesture) sensor, optional AI Vision Sensor ($89.99) adds object, color-blob and AprilTag detection
Sensors	Optical, laser distance (2nd gen), touch LED, bumper, 6-axis inertial sensor built into the 2nd-gen Brain
Runtime	Li-ion battery for all-day classroom use (per VEX)
Speed	Not published
SDK	VEXcode IQ: blocks, Python and C++ on Chromebook, iPad, Android, Windows and Mac