Which sensor is commonly used for measuring orientation on VEX robots?

• A. Encoder for orientation.
• B. Distance sensor for orientation.
• C. Gyro sensor for orientation.
• D. Battery monitor for orientation.

Answer: (C)

Orientation is about knowing which way the robot is facing, and a gyro sensor is built to measure that. It senses angular rotation around the robot’s vertical axis and reports how fast it’s turning. By tracking that rotation over time, you can determine the robot’s heading and keep it stable or turn to a specific angle. Encoders measure how far wheels or joints have turned, which helps with position or speed of a component but doesn’t reliably tell the overall facing direction, especially if the robot drifts on a turn. Distance sensors capture how far away something is, not which way the robot is pointed. Battery monitors just report power status, not orientation. So for knowing and controlling which direction the robot is facing, the gyro is the appropriate choice.