I have a Lego MindStorms NXT set that has never been used as I have not had the time to play.
All parts are as new and never been joined... I have put batteries in control unit other than that its untouched but not in origional cardboard box - will ship in plastic container.
It is available for pickup in Perth.
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).
 | - The NXT: the computer-controlled brain of the Mindstorms robot
- Touch Sensor: enables the robot to feel and react to its environment
- Sound Sensor: enables the robot to react to sound
- Light Sensor: can detect light and color
- Ultrasonic Sensor: allows the robot to measure distance and react to movement
- Servo Motors: ensures the robot moves with precision
|
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.
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.
 |
| 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
The
power of the LEGO building system, an intelligent command center and
easy-to-use, drag and drop programming software unleash the power of
your robot-building imagination.
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