Vex Robotics VEX IQ Smart Radio User manual

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
1
The Smart Radio expands the potential of the VEX IQ Robot Brain
and Controller for advanced users by enabling wireless
communication with smartphones, tablets and computers using
Bluetooth ® 4.0+ connections. This allows for wireless
programming of robots, interaction with robots using smartphones
or tablets running Bluetooth ® 4.0 or higher, and other advanced
features.
The Smart Radio can be used in place of the existing 900 MHz
Radio (228-2621) and 2.4 GHz Radio (228-3015) for wireless
communication between a Controller (228-2530) and Robot Brain (228-2540). The Smart Radio
enables the Robot Brain to connect to a Bluetooth ® 4.0 peripheral device, such as a smartphone,
tablet, or personal computer.
A paired Controller and Robot Brain must both use the same type of radio to communicate with each
other. If the Robot Brain is using a Smart Radio to enable wireless downloading from a tablet, its
associated Controller must also have a Smart Radio. For autonomous-only robots, a Controller is not
required.

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
2
Installing Smart Radio
The instructions for inserting and removing all three VEX IQ radios (900 MHz Radio, 2.4 GHz Radio,
and Smart Radio) into the Robot Brain and Controller are the same. The instructions for pairing a
Robot Brain and Controller to each other are also the same for all three radios. Please refer to the
Control System User Guide, Section 2 for detailed instructions for inserting and pairing radios. This
guide is intended to provide instructions for pairing a VEX IQ system with other Bluetooth-enabled
devices.
Control System User Guide, Section 2
link.vex.com/vexiq/pdf/228-3427-750-VEX-IQ-Control-System-User-Guide
After the firmware on the Robot Brain is updated (more information about this is available in the next
section), a new icon in the top menu bar of the Robot Brain LCD screen will display Smart Radio
connection status if a Smart Radio is attached to the Robot Brain.
Smart Radio not connected to
peripheral device (smartphone,
tablet, etc.)
Smart Radio connected to
peripheral device (smartphone,
tablet, etc.)
No Smart Radio in Robot Brain
This new Smart Radio Status icon will display the Smart Radio connection status to a peripheral
device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. This icon will indicate Not Connected,
Connected, or blank (no Smart Radio in Robot Brain). The Radio/Tether Status icon to the right of this
will continue to display the connection status between the Robot Brain and the Controller. Refer to
Control System User Guide, Section 2.2 for more information regarding the Radio/Tether Status icon.

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
3
Updating Firmware
The Robot Brain and Controller require a firmware update to VEXos v2.0.1 or higher to enable full
Smart Radio functionality. The VEXos Utility (available for download for Windows and Mac OS at
vexiq.com/vexos) is used to update the firmware on your Robot Brain and all devices to the latest
version.
To update the firmware, connect the Robot Brain and Controller via the Tether Cable, then connect
the Robot Brain to your computer using the USB Cable. Turn on the Robot Brain, and launch the
VEXos Utility. Press the “Install” button to begin updating the firmware.
The VEXos Utility will then load the latest VEXos firmware (version v2.0.1 or higher) for the Robot
Brain, Controller, and all other motors and sensors plugged into the Robot Brain.

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
4
When complete, the VEXos version number on the screen will show v2.0.1 or later. The name/ID of
the Robot Brain will be displayed at the top of the window.

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
5
Connecting to Partner Apps and Programs
Every individual Robot Brain has a different, unique identification number. Partner mobile apps and
desktop computer programs will use this Unique ID number to connect to your Smart Radio enabled
Robot Brain.
To find the Unique ID number for your Robot Brain, first turn on the Robot Brain. When at the Home
Screen, press the X Button to access the Settings menu.
Use the Up or Down Buttons to select System Info, then press the Check Button.

228-3530
Smart Radio User Guide
vexiq.com
Copyright 2016, VEX Robotics Inc.
2016-08-26
6
Use the Up or Down Buttons to scroll to the Robot Brain info screen. The Unique ID number for the
Robot Brain is listed on the bottom line, right next to the “ID” text.
82631 is an example Unique ID.
Your Unique ID number will be different on every Robot Brain.
Press the X Button to return to the Settings menu and use the Up or Down Buttons to select Radio
Data On. Turning Radio Data on will ensure the Robot Brain can communicate with other Bluetooth-
enabled devices. If Radio Data is off, the Robot Brain will be able to communicate with the controller;
but, it will be unable to communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
When prompted in your partner app or desktop computer program, type in the Unique ID number
displayed on your Robot Brain. When a Bluetooth ® 4.0 or higher peripheral device has successfully
connected to the Smart Radio enabled Robot Brain, the Smart Radio Status icon will change to
connected.