Introducing VEX AIM
The release of the VEX AIM Robot is on the horizon! VEX AIM provides everything needed for engaging, interactive computer science learning in your classroom. VEX AIM turns abstract computer science concepts into visible, tangible outcomes so students can see their code come to life. With its AI-powered vision, advanced movement capabilities, and rich customization options, VEX AIM is designed to make coding accessible and engaging. Whether your students are just beginning their coding journey or are ready to tackle more advanced programming, AIM provides a flexible and interactive learning experience that supports growth at every level.
AIM Makes CS Learning Accessible and Powerful
AIM is intentionally easy to get started with, while supporting students as their understanding of computer science grows.
Drive First
The AIM Robot can be controlled by the One Stick Controller, so students can drive the robot before coding it. The built-in Drive program lets students control the movements of the robot with the joystick and buttons to drive, kick, play sounds, and see features like the LEDs in action. Driving the robot to complete a task allows students to experience how the robot interacts with its environment in order to accomplish the goal. Before ever trying to code a project, students can easily drive the robot to solve the challenge, seeing first hand the steps needed to accomplish the task. Then when they move to coding, they have a physical model to build their computational model from.
Begin with Button Coding
VEX AIM includes a built-in Button Coding project, so novice coders can make the robot move, turn and kick directly using the robot’s screen before beginning with VEXcode Blocks. This touch button interface makes differentiation and accessibility for all students easy to attain in any setting. Novice coders can build foundational understandings, like sequencing, using button presses, without ever needing to connect a robot to a computer.
Build up to Blocks
Students can then code the AIM Robot using VEXcode AIM Blocks. Now they can begin to explore which code blocks are needed to carry out the actions they drove or coded via button presses. Students can begin to build a computational model of their project, building upon what they learned previously, to explore coding concepts with growing complexity.
Transition to text with Switch and Python
When students are ready, they can begin to explore Python coding using Switch. Switch allows students to see the Python commands behind blocks in VEXcode AIM. This is particularly useful for the prebuilt behaviors in VEXcode. Students can get a look at the Python commands that make a behavior like Turn to ball possible, with Switch, then work up to coding their own projects in Python.
This scaffolded approach ensures that students of all levels of coding expertise can benefit from hands-on CS learning.
Engage Students with Exciting Game-Based Coding Activities
Picture your students coding their robots to play an interactive soccer game with multiple robots, or competing in a robot barrel race! The AIM Robot has a three-wheeled holonomic drivetrain that allows it to move in any direction, and a built in gyro and accelerometer for moving with precision. A magnetized kicker on the front of the robot can grasp, kick, or place objects like Balls or Barrels across a Field – or even to another robot! These unique robot features open the door to a host of exciting game-based activities.
The easy-to-use touchscreen interface makes setting up the robot and starting projects quick and easy, in multiple languages.
And, six individually codable LEDs circle the AIM Robot’s perimeter. Students can use the LEDs for debugging projects by providing visual cues, or for creating fun, dynamic light shows or interactive feedback systems.
Teach Essential AI Concepts in a Hands-On Way
The AIM Robot’s built-in AI Vision Sensor provides an easily accessible way to build student understanding of fundamental AI concepts, such as computer perception. The AI Vision Sensor can detect pre-trained objects, such as the Balls and Barrels that come with the Kit, and even other AIM Robots. It can also detect colors, combinations of colors, and AprilTags. There are limitless possibilities for creative coding with this powerful sensor – a robot delivery service, an interactive vending machine, or navigating through an imaginary city are all within reach.
VEXcode AIM introduces AI with prebuilt behaviors that abstract out the complexity of using an AI-powered sensor, so that students can leverage the power of the sensor in an approachable way. Students can code the robot to Turn to ball then Get ball, and see how the AI Vision Sensor is working to accomplish the task. Then, when they are ready, they can explore exactly how the robot is using sensor data to accomplish that task.
Boundless Opportunities for Creative Expression
AIM’s colorful touchscreen offers students a myriad of ways to add expression and personality to their robots. The AIM Robot can flash a starry-eyed smile when it scores a goal in robot soccer, or sport a grumpy face when it misses, using the numerous emojis included in VEXcode.
An extensive library of built-in sounds can be added, furthering students' ability for creative expression through coding. Custom sounds and images can be uploaded and used in projects as well. The possibilities for social-emotional learning and storytelling that AIM opens up extends the cross-curricular reach of the robot, allowing teachers to integrate CS into subjects across the curriculum.
AIM’s touchscreen adds to the inexhaustible variety of creative coding possibilities. Students can create projects to print or draw on the screen, create touchscreen interfaces for games, start projects from the screen, and much more.
From AI-driven challenges to interactive games, AIM grows with students as they advance their computer science knowledge and skills. In future articles, we’ll further explore all the potential AIM has for transforming CS teaching in any setting. In the meantime, schedule a 1-on-1 to learn more about AIM or teaching computer science with VEX!