Open Roberta Lab vs VEXcode

Open Roberta Lab is a free online programming environment for learning with robots and microcontrollers. Its NEPO language uses graphical blocks assembled by drag and drop. The Lab supports hardware including Arduino boards, Calliope mini, LEGO Mindstorms EV3, micro:bit, NAO, LEGO SPIKE Prime and many other listed systems. Open Roberta Sim provides virtual robots for users without physical equipment. An integration also lets NEPO programs create and use artificial neural networks. The service runs in a standard browser on a PC, Mac or tablet without installation, and iOS and Android apps are listed. Programming works without an account; an account saves programs and settings, while sharing or gallery publication requires a verified email account. The site is hosted on Fraunhofer IAIS servers in Germany, with personal data kept within the EU. Visitor IP addresses are deleted from server logs after 30 days. The initiative targets children, young people, trainees and employees exploring STEM.

VEXcode is coding software for VEX robotics, with versions listed for VEX 123, GO, AIM, IQ, EXP, V5, CTE, and AIR. It uses a consistent interface across VEX platforms and supports drag-and-drop Blocks, Switch Blocks for moving toward Python, and text-based Python and C++. VEXcode VR runs in a browser without installation and offers curriculum and activities, which teachers can edit in Google Docs. It requires no student accounts, and each license includes access for an educator’s students at school and at home. VR Free costs nothing and includes Blocks, 15 basic-graphics playgrounds, curriculum, activities, and online resources. Enhanced costs $199 a year; Premium costs $499 a year. The separate VEX VS Code Extension supports C++ and Python on Windows and Mac, with project, documentation, firmware, and troubleshooting tools. It requires VS Code 1.66 or later. VEXcode runs across Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows.