Education

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VEX Robotics

The Future of Robotics is yours to make

Autodesk is proud to partner with VEX Robotics and the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields, helping close the global skills gap and connecting education to industry through hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs.

A student works on a robot model on his laptop computer

A career in robotics can start in high school

Skills that take you to a career in robotics

Learn how a group of recent high school graduates took their VEX Robotics experience to a whole new level through a summer internship program. Now they are on their way towards a career in robotics.

Play video (1:57 min.)

Giant bald eagle robot

Learning the future of robot making at Megabots lab

VEX Robotics students learning the future of robot making at Megabots lab

What do VEX Robotics students and MegaBots have in common? Their passion for robots! VEX Robotics 2017 High School World Champions Bryon Tjanaka and Dylon Tjanaka are invited to tour MegaBots lab to learn about how professionals are building robots, and see what it takes to have a robot building career.

Play video (2:26 min.)

Resources for VEX Robotics

  • Recommended software

    Software is available for all students, teachers/mentors, and schools associated with VEX Robotics.

    Learn more

  • Kit of Parts, Tips, Curriculum

    Download models and datasets for VEX IQ, VRC and VEX U; Check out learning videos, tutorials, and curriculum.

    Learn more

  • VEX Robotics Events

    Search for REC Foundation competition events, workshops and camps – and join today.

    Learn more

  • VEX Student Success Story

    See how one VEX participant uses Autodesk software and 3D printing to design a better robot and propel his team to success.

    Watch video (2:30 min.)

Free access to professional design software

VEX participants and academic institutions worldwide get free* access to the same software used by today’s design professionals. Teams can use digital design tools to enhance their work and save valuable project time, from documenting design ideas to using 3D CAD software to model and test robots before they are built.

Go to Get Products page

Recommended software

Click on each product below for instructions on how to download recommended software and apps for VEX.

Fusion 360

Integrated tool for collaborative product development.

Autodesk® Fusion 360™ software is a cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM tool that helps teams explore design ideas and create models for 3D printing and machining. Quickly modify robot designs, create assemblies, produce photorealistic renderings, and fabricate the parts you need to succeed.

Inventor Professional

3D mechanical CAD, visualization, and documentation software.

Autodesk® Inventor® Professional software enables teams to produce 3D models that can help with the design, visualization, and simulation of the robot’s functionality.

AutoCAD

CAD design, drafting, modeling, drawing, and engineering software.

Autodesk® AutoCAD® software provides productivity tools to create designs and documentation to help teams progress quickly into the build stage.

SketchBook

Sketch, paint, and illustrate digitally.
App Store | Google Play

Autodesk® SketchBook® software and mobile apps allow you to quickly create sketches and drawings to communicate ideas and document concepts for your Engineering notebook.

3ds Max

3D modeling software for games, film, and video content.

Autodesk® 3ds Max® software is the ideal solution for the VRC Game Design Animation Challenge. Teams can build a game animation by creating 3D content and simulating game play using the modeling, rendering, and animation capabilities of 3ds Max.

Download the VEX Kit of Parts

Autodesk VEX Kit of Parts (KoP)

The Autodesk VEX Parts Library provides you with digital models of all the parts included in the VEX Classroom Kit in Autodesk Inventor. Datasets are available in Imperial and Metric units, and will work for Inventor version 2013 onward. These datasets can also be imported for use in Autodesk Fusion.

Download and unzip these files to save your kit of parts. The download time is estimated at 5 minutes or less.

Fusion 360 KoP for VEX IQ

Fusion_360_VEX_IQ_KOP.zip

Fusion 360 KoP for VEX EDR

Fusion_360_VEX_EDR_KOP.zip

KoP for VRC and VEX U

Inventor_2013_VEX_KOP_-_Imperial.zip

Inventor_2013_VEX_ KOP_-_Metric.zip

Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms of use or other applicable terms that accompany such software or cloud-based services. Software and cloud-based services subject to an Educational license may be used solely for Educational Purposes and shall not be used for commercial, professional or any other for-profit purposes. Learn more.