In the past, it has been ruled legal to connect custom electronics to the controller for use during the driver controlled period in VEX U. Is this still the case (both in regards to the USB port and partner port)?
This Q&A is now read-only
Official Q&A: VRC 2019-2020: Tower Takeover
VEX U Custom Electronics Clarification
Answered by Game Design Committee
In the past, it has been ruled legal to connect custom electronics to the controller for use during the driver controlled period in VEX U. Is this still the case (both in regards to the USB port and partner port)?
No, this is not legal. Please see VUR6:
<VUR6> There is no restriction on sensors and other additional electronics that Robots may use for sensing and processing, except as follows:
a. Sensors and electronics MUST be connected to the V5 Robot Brain via any of the externally accessible ports (i.e. without any modification to the microcontroller).
Any custom electronics connected to the Controller would, by definition, not be connected to the Robot Brain, and therefore would not be within VUR6.
The only permissible exception would be an external power source into the micro USB port, as noted in R19-b:
Teams are permitted to have an external power source (such as a rechargeable battery pack) plugged into their V5 Controller during a Match, provided that this power source is connected safely and does not violate any other rules, such as <G7>, <R21>, or <R22>.