The ROBOTC Development Team is very excited to announce our latest BETA release, ROBOTC 4.28 BETA. This update is for the VEX Robotics (Cortex EDR and VEX IQ) robotics systems and includes new features, functionality and a load of bug fixes!

This new BETA release of ROBOTC includes the brand new “Natural Language 2.0″ libraries for the ROBOTC Graphical interface.

The new Natural Language 2.0 for Cortex allows users to customize and use their own robot configurations with our new Graphical Interface.

In addition, users can also program their VEX Cortex Competition Robots using our new “Graphical Competition Template”!

We’ll have more videos and tutorials on using the VEX Cortex Graphical Language mode in the near future, but try out the new software today and let us know what you think!

To download the 4.28 BETA, use the following links:

Important Setup Information for ROBOTC 4.28 Beta:

VEX IQ Users:

Run the “VEX IQ Firmware Update Utility” and update your VEX IQ Brain to firmware version 1.13 (may not be available at time of release, but will be available soon).

Users will also have to update their VEX IQ Wireless Controller in addition to any other VEX IQ Devices (sensors, motors) that may need to be updated as well.

After updating to the latest VEX IQ Brain firmware, users will also have to install the latest ROBOTC firmware from inside of ROBOTC.

VEX Cortex Users (with Black VEXnet 1.0 Keys):

You will need to update your VEX Cortex and VEX Game Controllers with Master Firmware Version 4.23 from inside of ROBOTC.

from inside of ROBOTC. After updating the master firmware, users will also have to update the VEX Cortex with the latest ROBOTC firmware as well.

VEX Cortex Users (with White VEXnet 2.0 Keys):

The new VEXnet 2.0 keys have a specific “radio firmware” that you will need to upgrade to enable “Download and Debugging” support. You can download the VEXnet Key 2.0 Firmware Upgrade Utility here.

Download the “VEXnet Key 2.0 Firmware Upgrade Utility” and insert your VEXnet 2.0 key to any free USB port on your computer. Follow the instructions on the utility to update each key individually. All VEXnet 2.0 keys must be running the same version in order to function properly.

After updating your VEXnet 2.0 keys, you will need to update your VEX Cortex and VEX Game Controllers with Master Firmware Version 4.23 from inside of ROBOTC.

from inside of ROBOTC. After updating the master firmware, users will also have to update the VEX Cortex with the latest ROBOTC firmware as well.

ROBOTC 4.27 -> 4.28 BETA Change Log:

All – Updated Help System Documentation for new commands and features.

All – Updated Firmware for 10.28 / 4.28 compatibility.

All – Added a compiler error when ‘switch’ expression was illegal.

All – Support for optional “int” keyword as in the declaration “short int” or “int short” in addition to “short”.

All – Add USB Joystick control to Graphical (in loop blocks)

Cortex – Fixed issue where performing a new motor PID movement when an existing PID movement is in progress didn’t work properly.

Cortex – Allow users to select “Xmtr2″ for VEX Cortex Graphical (Expert and higher menu level)

Cortex – Added competition control and competition template for Cortex Graphical

Cortex – Added Virtual Worlds Natural Language 2.0 Library for VEX Cortex

Cortex – Renamed old-style Natural Language mode to “Natural Language PLTW”

Cortex – Fixed issue where software inspection would fail without a radio link on VEX Cortex

Cortex – Added dialog message to Cortex “Download Firmware” button on large icon toolbar.

Cortex – Multiple incomplete consecutive PID moves. Fix issue when current move is in “ramp down” and new PID movement is initiated.

VEX IQ – Added additional standard models for VEX IQ.

VEX IQ – Fix issue where mode wasn’t being set for Graphical for VEX IQ Color Sensor.

Happy Programming!