Topics
What is Mindstorms? How can you build with it? What can you build with it? Programming the NXT What’s inside the brick? Sensing the world
How can you build with it?
• NXT brick• Motors• Sensors• Lego (Technic)
parts
• Parts in other Technic sets• Parts available online through webshops
Programming the NXT
NXT-GGraphical programming using blocks and
linesComes with the set when you buy itEasy to get started with itVery suitable for children
Programming the NXT ROBOTC
C-like environment100x faster than
NXT-GDebuggerMore difficult to learnNot free
Programming the NXT
NXC/BrixCCC-like programming language/IDECan use standard LEGO firmware
or enhanced firmwareFree (MPL)
Lejos Java on your brick! Very complete API, really great classes Free (MPL)
What’s inside the brick?
1. Bluetooth module
2. AT91SAM7s256 @ 48 MHz
3. Atmega8 @ 8MHz
• 3 x Motor ports• 4 x Sensor ports• 1 x USB
Sensing the world
Sense: colour, light, sound, pressureflex, touch, shapes, distancerotation, acceleration, temperatureposition, altitude, velocity
Control: servos, motors, lights, relays
Communicate: USB, XBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RS485, IR
Sensing the world
LEGO: <10 sensors Mindsensors: > 20 sensors HiTechnic: >15 sensors Dexter Industries: 8 sensors MicroInfinity, Codatex, Vernier, POB
My activities
Software tester for Robotics Academy (Carnegie Mellon University)
Part of the LEGO MCP4 Hardware tester for all major sensor
companies. Develop and maintain a ROBOTC driver
suite, 50+ devices supported, 4500+ downloads
My activities
Co-owner Mindboards community Maintainer of BotBench.com (300-500
visitors/day) Contributor on official ROBOTC site Give workshops and presentations (like
this one) Attend big LEGO events (LEGO World)
Why do I do it?
It’s nice to help people Keeps you mentally fit Recognition within the Mindstorms
community “Thank you” emails from FTC teams,
professors, teachers and users.
Most of all, because it’s FUN!
Books
Countless books availableFor beginnersFor advanced programmers
Many different core subjectsBuildingProgrammingElectronics; “hacking”Themed books
Communities
Massive online LEGO communitiesLego User Groups (LUGs)(Belug, LowLug)
Mindstorms communities and blogsNXT StepMindboardsBotBench.comMany other personal websites
Additional URLs
HiTechnic: hitechnic.com Mindsensors: mindsensors.com Dexter Industries: dexterindustries.com ROBOTC: robotc.net NXC: bricxcc.sourceforge.net Lejos: lejos.sourceforge.net
Additional URLs
Laurens Valk’s websites:laurensvalk.com (personal)discovery.laurensvalk.com (book site)
Mindboards: sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/mindboards
The NXT Step: thenxtstep.blogspot.com Mindstorms site: mindstorms.lego.com De Bouwsteen: debouwsteen.eu LowLug: lowlug.nl