VEX CTE - Unit 1 - Introduction to Workcells - Lesson 2: Getting Started with the Brain

Now that you have added the additional Tile and EXP Brain to your build, you can get started with VEXcode EXP.

In this Lesson, you will learn about:

Check the Battery level.
Connecting the Brain to VEXcode EXP.
Updating the firmware of the Brain.

Check the Battery Level

Before beginning, ensure that you have a charged Battery. You can check the Battery level by using the indicator lights on the side of the Battery.

Watch this animation to see how to check the Battery level using the indicator lights. In the animation, a hand presses the button, and the first light glows green, indicated the charge level.

1 light: 0-25% charge
2 lights: 25-50% charge
3 lights: 50-75% charge
4 lights: 75-100% charge

For Your Information

The EXP Brain must have a power source in order to turn on and connect to VEXcode EXP. However, if your Battery does not have a significant charge before beginning this Lesson, you can still plug it in and update firmware while the Battery is charging.

To charge the Battery while connected to the Brain, connect one end of a USB-C cable to a power source and the other end to the Battery.

Close up image of the EXP Brain on the Tile with a red box around the charging port on the side of the Brain, indicating where to connect the power source to the Brain.

Getting Started with VEXcode EXP

You will access VEXcode EXP as you have in the previous course, but you will now be creating EXP Brain projects rather than Arm projects.

Follow the ‘Getting Started with VEXcode EXP’ section below that matches the version of VEXcode EXP that you are using (web-based or app-based). Unsure of which version you are using? Ask your instructor.

Accessing Projects in Web-based VEXcode EXP

Follow the steps below to access web-based VEXcode EXP and open an EXP Brain project. To access the web-based version of VEXcode EXP, you must be using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser on a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook.

To access VEXcode EXP, navigate to codeexp.vex.com.

Ensure that you have an EXP Brain project open. You can verify this by looking at the icon in the top left corner.

Close up of VEXcode EXP to show the EXP logo in the upper left corner of the Toolbar.

If you do not see the EXP logo in the top left corner, follow the steps in this video to create a new EXP Brain project.

In this video clip, the CTE logo is shown in the upper left corner of VEXcode to begin. The File menu is then opened, and New Block Project is selected. A prompt appears to select EXP Brain or 6-Axis Arm. EXP Brain is selected, and a new project opens, now showing the EXP logo in the upper left corner.

Connecting the EXP Brain to Web-Based VEXcode EXP

There are additional steps to connect the EXP Brain when using the web-based version of VEXcode EXP. Follow these steps below.

Turn on the Brain by pressing the Check button on the Brain.

The EXP Brain turned off with the Check button highlighted in a red box. The Check button is located to the right of the screen, at the top of the diamond of buttons.

Connect the EXP Brain to your device, using the USB-C cable. This image shows the Brain not connected to a build, but the same connection step applies when connecting a Brain that is part of a CTE Workcell build.

Note: Your Brain must remain plugged into your device throughout the connection process.

Photo of the EXP Brain connected to a laptop via a USB cable.

Select the Brain icon in the Toolbar.

VEXcode EXP Toolbar with a red box around the Brain icon, located to the left of the Controller icon and to the right of the Download button.

Select Connect.

Brain dialog box that appears when the Brain icon is selected, shows that no brain is connected. At the bottom a button reads Connect, and is highlighted in a red box indicating what to select to connect the Brain.

A text box will appear explaining which option to choose in the following connection window.

Select Continue on the text box to open the connection window.

Connection dialog pop up reads 'Your browser will now attempt to connect to your EXP Brain. On the browser connection prompt, please select the item labeled 'VEX Robotics EXP Brain' with the lowest ID number and press 'Connect' on the connection prompt.' To the lower right a gray Cancel button and Blue Continue button are shown.

Select the EXP Brain that says Communications Port.

If Communications Port is not shown as an option, move to the next step.

Connection Window is open and reads codeexp.vex.com wants to connect to a serial port. There is a list of 2 options, with the second highlighted in a red box. The first reads VEX Robotics User port, the second reads VEX Robotics Communications port.

If Communications Port is not shown as an option, select the EXP Brain with the lowest ID number.

The same communication window as above, this time with two different options in the list. The first reads VEX Robotics EXP Brain (cu.usbmodem 2101) and is highlighted in a red box. The second reads VEX Robotics EXP Brain (cu.usbmodem 2103).

Select the Connect button, once you have chosen an EXP Brain.

The same connection window with the lower ID number highlighted above and the Connect button in the lower right corner highlighted in a red box, indicating what to select to connect to the Brain.

Once the EXP Brain is successfully connected the Brain icon will turn green.

Note: If the Brain icon turns orange, you need to update firmware. Follow the steps at the bottom of this page to update firmware.

VEXcode Toolbar with a green Brain icon showing between the Controller icon and Download button, indicating a successful connection.

Accessing Projects and Connecting the EXP Brain in App-based VEXcode EXP

Follow the steps below to access VEXcode EXP and connect using the app-based version. The app-based version is available for download on Windows and Mac devices.

Turn on the Brain by pressing the Check button on the Brain.

EXP Brain shown off, with the Check button highlighted in a red box at the top of the diamond of buttons on the right hand side of the Brain.

Open VEXcode EXP.

Ensure that you have an EXP Brain project open. You can verify this by looking at the icon in the top left corner.

EXP logo in the upper left corner of the VEXcode Toolbar.

Connect the EXP Brain to your device, using the USB-C cable. This image shows the Brain not connected to a build, but the same connection step applies when connecting a Brain that is part of a CTE Workcell build.

Note: Your Brain must remain plugged into your device throughout the connection process.

The Brain Icon will display green once the EXP Brain is powered on and connected to the device with VEXcode EXP opened.

Note: If the Brain icon turns orange, you need to update firmware. Follow the steps at the bottom of this page to update firmware.

Brain icon in the Toolbar of VEXcode EXP shows green, and is highlighted in a red box. The Brain icon is located between the Controller icon on the left and the Download button on the right.

Updating Firmware

Many VEX devices, including the EXP Brain, contain their own internal processors and run on a special Operating System. This software is the VEX EXP Firmware and is called VEXos.

What is Firmware?

This Operating System is written entirely by VEX Robotics, and harnesses the flexibility and power of VEX hardware for the diverse needs of education. The Brain will automatically push out the latest updates to any device that is connected to it.

There are several reasons why you should update your VEX EXP Brain’s firmware with the latest VEXos, some of these include:

Each update of VEXcode EXP will require the latest version of the VEXos firmware installed on the Brain before user programs can be downloaded.
VEXos updates will include fixes for known bugs and add the software which is needed to operate any new devices.
Updates allow for advanced programming features.
The best way to ensure that your VEX system is functioning properly is to keep the software up to date.

How to Update Brain Firmware

To update Brain firmware your Brain must be powered on, wired to your computer, and connected to VEXcode EXP.

If the Brain's firmware is out of date, you will receive a prompt and the Brain icon will turn orange in the Toolbar.
Update the Brain's firmware in VEXcode EXP by selecting the Update button.

VEXcode EXP interface with a pop up dialog that reads Your VEX EXP Brain's firmware is out of date and needs to be updated. Do you want to update now? With two button options in the lower right corner. To the left a gray button reads No, to the right a blue button reads Update.

Wait while the firmware updates.

The firmware update progress bar shows partial progress. The text reads Please wait! Updating... Do not unplug or turn off the Brain.

Once completed, select OK. The EXP Brain will power off and then back on, known as power cycling.

If using Web-based VEXcode EXP, you will need to reconnect your Brain to your device.

Firmware complete message reads Firmware downloaded to EXP, with a blue OK button in the lower right corner.

Once your firmware has been updated, the Brain icon will turn green.

VEXcode Toolbar now shows a green Brain icon between the Controller icon and the Download button, indicating up to date firmware.

Check Your Understanding

Before you begin the Mid-Unit Reflection and Goal Adjustment, ensure that you understand the concepts covered in this Lesson by answering the questions in the document below in your engineering notebook.

Check Your Understanding questions > (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf)

Select Next > to complete the Mid-Unit Reflection.