|
| |
What Is Lego Mindstorms?
Note: Most of this page was swiped from the
Official Lego MindStorms site at www.legomindstorms.com (specifically at http://www.legomindstorms.com/products/whatis/whatis.asp
).
Lego MindStorms is a relatively inexpensive, remarkably versatile robotics
building and programming system, which has the added advantage of being an extension of
(and thereby completely compatible with) the already excellent Lego and Lego Technics
product lines.
|
The Robotics Invention System (RIS)
|
LEGO® MINDSTORMS™ lets you design and program real robots
that do what you want them to. With the Robotics Invention System 1.5™, the core set
of the LEGO MINDSTORMS product range, you can create everything from a light-sensitive
intruder alarm to a robotic rover that can follow a trail, move around obstacles, and even
duck into dark corners. |
| The heart of the Robotics Invention System 1.5
is the RCX™, an autonomous LEGO microcomputer that can be programmed using a PC. The
RCX serves as the brain of LEGO MINDSTORMS inventions. |
The RCX
|
The RCX and Some of its Various Sensors and Outputs.
|
Touch Sensor
|
It uses sensors to take input from its
environment, processes data, and signals output motors to turn on and off. Touch sensors
are the most basic, but the RIS set also includes a light sensor. Additional sensors, such
as temperature and rotation sensors, can be purchased separately. A vast array of
additional “home brew” sensors and add-ons have been created by users. See http://www.alynk.com/usr/gasperi/lego.htm. |
You first build your robot
using the RCX and over 700 pieces, attaching sensors, motors, gears, and other LEGO
bricks. The Robotics Invention System 1.5 includes detailed instructions for building
modular “plug-and-play” robots: The Roverbot--a steady going robot that moves
around, avoids obstacles, and can follow a line; the Acrobot—a fast moving robot that
flips and dances; and the Inventorbot—a smart attentive robot that can greet you and
help you in many other ways. All LEGO MINDSTORMS products work with LEGO SYSTEM and LEGO
TECHNIC sets.
Editor’s Note: The above text is
somewhat misleading: Although the new designs are modular to a certain extent,
there is no decrease in flexibility or engineering—each “module” is
composed of numerous individual Lego bricks. |
Some Parts
|
RCX Code CD
|
Then you create a program for your invention
using RCX Code, a simple, powerful programming language. To help you program your
Robotics Inventions System 1.5 creations you'll also use a new updated
Constuctopedia™, enriched User Guide, and new companion CD. Editor’s Note: Several programming languages and methods
exist for the RCX. See the home page for some other options. The
RCX Code uses a drag-and-drop interface, and is easy to use and understand. (My 4-year-old
wonder boy Isaac can
use it without any problem, and only needs help thinking through the steps of the programs
he tries to write.) |
| Next, download your program to the RCX using
a special infrared transmitter. Your creation can now interact with the environment, fully
autonomous from the computer. |
IR Tower Connected to a PC (Shown Downloading to the RCX)
|
|
