Sure, Mindstorms NXT is a toy, but it is an important toy, like a piano or a chemistry set. It’s one of those items that engages an imagination and possibly opens doors to new interests. Since our future is surely to be shared with robots–it’s already started happening, just look at Roomba–those robots will need, at least initially, humans to program and maintain them. Those people, years from now, will likely remember their experiences with Lego Mindstorms.
Out of the Box
The main part of the kit is the NXT itself. It’s about the size of an iPod (though a bit thicker) with a a loudspeaker, a monochrome LCD, and navigation keys on the front. This is the controller for the robot–it’s brain, if you will. It has three ports on top for connecting to the servo motors and four ports on the bottom for connecting to four different sensors: Touch, Light, Sound, and Ultrasonic (see detail below).
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The set includes Ethernet-like wires for connecting all of these to the NXT, as well as software and a basic USB cable for downloading programs from your computer. Then there are all the Lego parts, hundreds of them, and most are very small. It would be a good idea to get a plastic organizer for the different parts–it would not only make construction and storage easier but also part loss less likely.
Hitting the Bricks
The instructions for MNXT are simple, illustrated, and they gently take the new user on an introductory path through the system. The quick start guide promises a 30-minute robot building and programing intro, though for me it was closer to 50 (I’m a little old and slow). It starts with a simple diagnostic routine which shows you how to test the function of all sensors, then proceeds to step-by-step picture instructions for building a basic first robot. It’s about as complex as building a piece of Ikea furniture.
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Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects. |
Next, I installed the software. Be sure to check the system requirements (below). The software is well-designed and very intuitive. It comes with built-in video instructions on how to create your first simple program and download it to your NXT.
Bringing It To Life
Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects. Each object is configurable. For example, the Sound object brings up a sub-window that allows you to choose between a tone and a list of sound files, set the volume, set duration, and so on. Little Lego bricks between the objects reinforce the idea that building a NXT program is like building a Lego model. Programming this way is much easier than, say, creating a web page from scratch. Lego even offers a software development kit for getting deeper into the programming.
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| Mindstorms NXT “challenges” from top: Tribot, RoboArm, and Spike. |
There comes a genuine thrill from seeing something you’ve created–even something simple and silly as my first program–come to life in a robot. It’s akin to seeing yourself on TV for the first time. I played that program a dozen times.
The software contains “challenges,” which are similar step-by-step instructions for creating and programming more complex models, such as a robotic arm that can “perform simple tasks and react to different colors.” Each challenge is divided into smaller tasks with step-by-step building, programming, and testing guides for each task.
Accessing your latest program once it’s downloaded to the NXT is pretty easy. Lego has set it up so that you can execute it by pressing the big orange center button four times in a row after start-up. I was surprised to find out that you don’t need a computer to program the NXT. You can program directly into the NXT Program submenu.
Bluetooth Ready
The NXT also has built-in Bluetooth wireless technology. If your computer has Bluetooth, you can test and download programs to the NXT without connecting the USB cable–a really handy feature if you’re programming a complicated dance routine and you don’t want your robot getting tripped up in cables. If your phone or PDA has Bluetooth, you might be able to use your device to control the robot. Best of all, Bluetooth allows you to create a network of up to three NXT devices. Think of the possibilities: three NXTs plus three sets of blocks and sensors equals bigger, more complex robots.
My one and only complaint is that I wish the sensors had more “studs,” those little round parts that allows Lego bricks to interlock. –Porter B. Hall
Customer Review: Lego Robotic Tournaments for kids
I am buying an NXT for my 11 year old son who has been begging for one for awhile. He is a member of the Robotics team at his elementary school (his 3rd year) and so he interacts with these every day, but wants one of his own to play around with at home.
For those of you whose children are or may be interested in science/engineering/robotics, etc. or are just looking for something creative to do, there is a worldwide program out there that they can join to help develop these skills and have fun at the same time! Lego created this program about 15 years ago and it is now worldwide. Go to [...] to learn all about it. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Program is absolutely wonderful. They start out at age 6, with the Junior FIRST Lego League (JFLL); 9-14 yr olds. [or about 3-8th graders] compete in the FIRST Lego League (FLL), using the NXT or RCX (older model) robots; and when they hit high school, they begin building real, actual working robots to compete with.
If your school does not have a team, look into starting one (anyone can: schools, churches, boy/girl scout troops, community organizations, whatever). The fees are not much after the initial kit cost (around $600, which includes the robot and all tournament supplies) and often you can find sponsors to cover some, if not all, of the fees. The kids do not just play with robots, they also work very hard on a research project which they present to a panel of judges at each tournament (there is usually a tourney for city, region, state, national, and then international if your team qualifies for each next tournament), and there are awards for many things: robot competitions, teamwork, research, robot design, team spirit, overall score, etc. If you are looking for a great extracurricular for your gifted or creative child, this is it!
Customer Review: Great Physics and Computer Science Tool for Children
This is a great way to teach children physics, robotics, and computer science. Even if children don’t want to make a robot, they can be very creative with the components just as with many lego products. Buy Now from Trusted Amazon.com Click Here
The name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen. It is the world s sixth-largest manufacturer of toys with the LEGO brick as its most important
Source: www.mcall.com
The Gods in Lego and Other Mythological Fun at Godchecker.com – Wired
We are now in Samhein, the period between Halloween and the Winter Solstice, when the veil between this world and the next becomes thin enough for inhabitants of one realm to pass through to the other. For many cultures, this period of waning
Source: blog.wired.com
NCS Lego Team wins award – Indianapolis Star
“Link’s Computer Geeks” Noblesville Christian School’s Lego Mindstorms Team recently took part in the regional F.I.R.S.T. Lego League competition in Columbus, IN. They designed, built and programmed a robot to accomplish several missions within a
Source: www.indystar.com
Lego bin Laden sparks row – Daily News and Analysis
The British arm of toymaker Lego has blasted a US custom toy company for creating an Osama bin Laden figure from Lego blocks LONDON: The British arm of toymaker Lego has blasted a US custom toy company for creating an Osama bin Laden figure from Lego
Source: www.dnaindia.com
Lego-Style Islamic Terrorist Figurine Sparks Outrage – FOX News
A Lego-style figurine resembling an Islamic terrorist strapped with explosives and made by a small American company has caused an uproar among Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The controversial miniature figure, created by Seattle-based Will Chapman as
Source: www.foxnews.com
The robot dance in Lego – Mankato Free Press
Regional tournaments are swiftly approaching and pressure is mounting for area Lego robot teams. And Team J-JAM is feeling the heat. As one of seven teams participating in Saturday s mock competition at the St. Peter Community Center, J-JAM logged
Source: www.mankatofreepress.com
Next Lego Game? Try Harry Potter – Kotaku.com
Having heard from “sources”, CVG are reporting that the next franchise to be given the Lego game treatment will be well, whaddya know, Harry Potter. And that’s all they know. No further info given. Then again, being a Lego game, do you really need
Source: kotaku.com
Review: Lego Batman – Stuff
Lego Batman comes from the people who made Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones, and has Batman, Robin and other characters made out of Lego blocks. The story is about a prison breakout in Gotham City and a lot of Batman’s enemies are causing
Source: www.stuff.co.nz
Lego robots – Gillette News Record
Patrick Bonine hopes so. The 14-year-old Sage Valley Junior High student is busy constructing a Lego robot, programming it to complete set tasks and navigate a course. But he s in it for more than the glory of competition. Someday he wants to
Source: www.gillettenewsrecord.com
Students Prepare for Lego League Competition – KPVI Newschannel 6
It’s many kids favorite toy growing up. Lego’s, but some kids are using those toys to build robots It’s all part of the Lego League International competition that’s coming up. For the past three months, eight team members of kids aged 10 -12 years
Source: www.kpvi.com
LEGO car is what you’ll be doing in Toy Room. This is an easy-to-play 3D cruise through a polygon playroom. A recreational ramble through a rumpus room. There are toys
Source: www.feedsfarm.com
Regional FIRST LEGO competition Saturday (Tri-City Herald)
The 2008 FIRST LEGO League regional robotics competition is Saturday at Enterprise Middle School in West Richland. Teams of students ages 9 to 14 design, build and program robots — with help from adult mentors — to complete challenges.
Source: www.tri-cityherald.com
