Search Computing Unplugged's 15,961 article archive 
Home
EasyPrint
News details Click here for the RSS feed's XML code. This is not a browser URL.
Articles-only Click here for the RSS feed's XML code. This is not a browser URL.
Twitter Feed Click here for the Twitter feed.
CONSUMER ROBOTICS
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT: Robotics Beyond Building
By David J. Perdue

About this article
Over the years, we at ZATZ have had the opportunity to publish articles by some well known authors and true experts in the field. When we decided to increase our coverage of LEGO personal robotics, we really wanted to find someone who truly understood how it all works. No one could possibly have a better, comprehensive perspective of LEGO's MINDSTORMS NXT robotics system than David J. Perdue, author of The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide.

The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide published by No Starch Press, helps you to harness the capabilities of the MINDSTORMS NXT set and effectively plan, build, and program your own MINDSTORMS NXT robots. We're thrilled that David's able to write this article for us.

And now, David J. Perdue's article...

Robot uprisings and alien invasions are practically synonymous with science fiction, but the increasing prevalence, complexity, and capability of robots certainly hasn't helped to assuage any fears of a sinister robotic revolution. In fact, robots are infiltrating our lives with astonishing speed and success.

The 2006 release of the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set, a powerful robotics toolset, has given great impetus to the spread of robots, thrusting them into bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, backyards, offices, and other equally dubious places. Forget the aliens. These MINDSTORMS robots, equipped with all the menacing power of AA batteries, truly are storming the world. And I'm enjoying every moment of it.

With a price of $250 and the capability to produce thousands of unique, functional robots, the NXT set has enabled multitudes of people -- including children, teenagers, and adults -- to create their very own robotic creatures, contraptions, and contrivances. Figure A shows one of my NXT robots called Tag-Bot, which is a four-wheeled steering vehicle.

FIGURE A


Tag-Bot, a NXT robot, is a four-wheeled steering vehicle. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Tag-Bot plays a game called "flashlight tag" in which you attempt to "tag" the robot by shining a flashlight into its light sensor for a brief period of time (e.g., three seconds). To escape the beam of light, Tag-Bot dashes around the room while avoiding objects.

Although building may seem to be the NXT set's main purpose (after all, we're talking about a LEGO kit here), you can do far more than simply build with the set. So we'll observe five aspects of the world of NXT:


1  ·  2  ·  3  ·  4  ·  Next »
Other articles you might like
Home > Reviews > Books and e-books (53 articles)
   How I turned my novel into an ebook
   We review iPhone Open Application Development and more
   Three essential guides to understanding LEGO robotics and the LEGO system
Home > Gear > Robots (8 articles)
   We review Revell Vexplorer Robotics System
   Three essential guides to understanding LEGO robotics and the LEGO system
   Robot, can you lend a hand?
Home > Gear > Building toys (4 articles)
   Lava Launch Coaster offers a great father/son project opportunity
   Three essential guides to understanding LEGO robotics and the LEGO system
   More power to Forbidden LEGO
Get Weekly Email Updates
Subscribe to our regular weekly email newsletter. It's packed with tips, reviews, deep analysis, and the latest news.
 
Recent Computing Unplugged Articles
The iPad: Apple's latest heartbreaker
Recruiting the Army of Two on PSP
Trine, an almost-perfect modern side-scroller
Indiana Jones 2 on the PSP is no treasure
Playing your PSP on the PC
Say goodbye to the Uh-Ohs. Long live the Tens.
Logitech's electronic skins for Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero
Computing Unplugged News
Taking a Second Look at the Nook
Google's Gmail to try to challenge Facebook
The iPad questions Apple won't answer
JooJoo Tablet Faces Uphill Battle Against iPad
HTC's Incredible Phone
Fake Firefox Update Spreads Spyware
Macmillan books coming back to Amazon
>> Read all the news
More from the ZATZ journals
David Gewirtz Online: CNN commentary and analysis
DominoPower: Lotusphere 2010: mobility and collaboration
OutlookPower: Running auto-respond rules when Outlook is closed
-- Advertisement --

ONLINE GROUP CALENDAR - FOR UP TO 100 OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS
Stay organized and in control with 24/7 access to all of your important events, projects and files --whether you're at work, at home or on the road.

You can share your calendar, projects and files so everyone in your office is up to date. Plus, search your entire group to find times when everyone is available to meet, manage company resources and much more.

Organize your entire team for as low as $9.95 per year (and yes, that's where the decimal place is supposed to be!)

Tap here to get started right away.

-- Advertisement --

Write for Computing Unplugged!
Share your experience and expertise with other handheld device users. There are new opportunities at ZATZ for contributing authors and editors.

Write about something you're an expert on and get your name in lights.

For Writers' Guidelines and to discuss topics, contact Staff Editor Steve Niles. This is your opportunity to shine in front of your peers, your clients, and friends.

Click for more info!

ZATZ Home  ·  News  ·  Back Issues  ·  Credits/Trademarks ·  Link To Us
Copyright © 2003-2010, ZATZ Publishing. All rights reserved worldwide.
Editor's Login