Robot inspectors are responsible for determining if robots are constructed within the rules outlined in the game manual, and all teams must pass inspection before competing. Event Partners have some flexibility in how robot inspection is conducted based on how many volunteers are available, and how many teams are at the event.
One recommended practice for larger events is to break robot inspection into multiple stations, each with one or more dedicated volunteers. Each volunteer can check each robot for one or more sections of the robot inspection checklist, then pass the team to the next station where their robot will be checked against additional sections. The final station should double-check or complete the Team Verification portion of the inspection, then sign and submit the completed form.
Head Referees should assist with inspection if possible, and are usually the best-qualified volunteers for the Detailed Components and Pneumatics & Custom Plastic sections of the checklist.
This article provides guidelines and training information for each category of the 2025-26 Robot Inspection Checklist for the VEX V5 Robotics Competition.
Robot Inspection Training and Instructions
Team Verification
No experience necessary
Training: 5 minutes
- Ask the team who designed, built, and programmed the robot.
- Ask the team if they have read the Game Manual and Q&As.
- G1 - Be nice and respectful to everyone
- G2 - Student Centered. No adults working on robots or programming
- G4 & R2 - Robot must represent the students' skill level
- R4 - Intentionally violating a robot rule can lead to disqualification
- T1 - Head Referee has final authority on all gameplay rulings
- T3 - Drive Team may immediately appeal a Head Referee ruling
- Ask the team if they understand the Code of Conduct and the Student-Centered Policy.
- Ensure that the coach or team has initialed that team adults have read the Adult Behavior Guidelines.
- Ensure that the coach or team knows that an adult must be on site for the entire event.
Sizing Inspection
No experience necessary
Training: 5 minutes
- Check that the robot fits within an 18" sizing tool front to back, side to side, and vertically.
- Ask team to expand their robot, and make sure it does not expand beyond 22" front to back, side to side, or vertically.
Overall Inspection
No experience necessary
Training: 5 minutes
- Confirm that the team only brought one robot to the event.
- Ask the team if any parts of their robot intentionally detach or entangle.
- Visually check for anything that is an entanglement risk.
- If spotted, warn teams of the mechanism that is likely to entangle.
- Use your hands to gently and carefully feel for any sharp edges.
- If found, ask teams to file down edges before passing
- Confirm that the team has license plates mounted to the robot on two opposing sides.
- Ensure that only one color of plate is attached to the Robot (red & blue plates can't be "stacked".
- Ensure that the plates aren't attached using VEX IQ pins.
- Ask the team if they have both colors of plates, and offer spares if they’re needed and available.
Electronics Inspection
No experience necessary
Training: 5-10 minutes
- Locate robot brain and ensure that the button is accessible without moving or flipping the robot.
- Ask the team if the robot has any other brains or microcontrollers.
- Have the team turn the brain on, and check that the firmware number is current.
- If the event is using Smart Field Control, check that the brain is named as the team number (no spaces or dashes).
- Have teams point out and count motors.
- Use form to calculate total wattage if needed.
- 2 small motors = 1 large motor.
- Max is 88 watts (equal to 8 large motors).
- Locate only one VEX battery, and confirm the robot doesn’t have other power sources.
- Locate at least one VEX radio.
- Radio should have some space around it.
- If needed, warn teams that radios surrounded by metal can have connection issues.
- Make sure the team doesn't plan to use more than two controllers during the match.
- Ask the team if they've modified any electronic components.
Detailed Components Inspection
Experience is helpful, including knowing legal VEX parts by sight. This article provides additional details on some robot rules.
Training: Varies with experience
- Check that any custom cables are made from legal VEX cable stock.
- Check that electrical and pneumatic parts aren’t modified.
- Check that modified non-electrical/pneumatic parts are modified using legal methods.
- Check that tape, cable management, rope/string, rubber bands, and zip ties match the rules and are used for allowed purposes.
- Check that the robot doesn’t smell like WD40 or other aerosol lubricants, and that there’s no lubricant, grease, or other substance on the robot that could transfer to the field or game objects.
- Check that no non-standard methods (tape, glue, welding, Loctite used for purpose other than securing fasteners) are used on the robot.
- Check that there are no 3D printed components on the robot (including decorations and license plates).
- Check that all components on the robot are either current VEX V5 parts, legal discontinued parts, non-functional decorations, or non-VEX parts made legal by another robot rule (plastic will be checked separately in the next set of criteria).
Pneumatics and Custom Plastic Inspection
Experience is helpful, including in-depth knowledge of the pneumatics, plastic, and decoration rules.
Training: Varies with experience
- Check that all pneumatic components are from the VEX pneumatics kit or appear on the legal pneumatic component list.
- Check that the robot uses no more than 2 pneumatic tanks.
- Check that all pneumatic tubing is 4mm black tubing.
- Check that all custom plastic is non-shattering and no more than 1/16” thick.
- Check that there are no more than 12 individual pieces cut from non-shattering plastic, and that no single piece is larger than 4"x8".
- For a complex or folded plastic piece, you can ask the team to describe or demonstrate how it fits within a 4"x8" area.
- Check that there are no 3D printed components on the robot (including decorations and license plates).
Sensors, Finalize, and Submit
No experience necessary
Training: 5 minutes
- Ask the team if their robot uses sensors that are dependent on the quality and/or consistency of the field lighting. If a team says yes, make sure they speak with an event Head Referee and/or the Event Partner about any concerns.
- For electronic inspections:
- Ensure that all boxes have been checked.
- Get a team member’s initials.
- Select Pass.
- Input your name.
- Attach the verification provided by the event (sticker, zip tie, etc.).
- For inspections on paper:
- Ensure that you have signatures from a coach and a team member.
- Circle “Pass” only after ALL boxes have been checked.
- Sign your name as the Inspector.
- Attach the verification provided by the event (sticker, zip tie, etc.).
- Turn in completed inspection forms at the tournament computer.