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Lego Mindstorms is a line of Lego Group robot kits combining programmable bricks with electric motors, sensors, Lego bricks, and Lego Technic pieces (such as gears, axles, beams, and pneumatic parts) to build robots and other automated or interactive systems. Lego Mindstorms is marketed commercially as the Robotics Invention System (RIS). It is also sold and used as an educational tool, originally through a partnership between Lego and the MIT Media Laboratory *, *. The educational version of the products is called Lego Mindstorms for Schools, and comes with the ROBOLAB GUI-based programming software, developed at Tufts University* using the National Instruments LabVIEW as an engine. Lego Mindstorms may be used to build a model of an embedded system with computer-controlled electromechanical parts. Almost all kinds of real-life embedded systems, from elevator controllers to industrial robots, may be modelled using Mindstorms. There is a strong community of professionals and hobbyists of all ages involved in the sharing of designs, programming techniques, and other ideas associated with Lego Mindstorms. The original Mindstorms RIS was released in 1998. In 2006, Lego announced a next-generation Mindstorms system called NXT, centered around a new programmable brick. *
LEGO Camera The LEGO Camera on its own is technichally not a robotic toy; rather, it is a programmable brick, as it does have its own programming features and is compatible with most RCX-based programs. Cybermaster Cybermaster was omainly sold in Europe and Australia/New Zealand, but was available for a short time via the Lego Club magazines. It was aimed at a younger audience as an early attempt of merging computer gaming with robotics and LEGO. The Pbrick shares many, esp software, features with the RCX but differs in appearance and technical specification. 1 output (plus 2 built-in) and 3 sensors. Despite its obvious limitation it has a number of edges over its 'big brother', the RCX. This makes it very useful for various mobile platforms and performing basic motion/positioning tasks. It talks the same protocol as the RCX but can't communicate directly to it (due to IR vs RF) but with a repeater (a computer with 2 serial ports and a simple program) they can be integrated. Codepilot Sold as part of the Barcode Truck kit. This unit was the first programmable brick (or Pbrick). It features a single motor, a single touch sensor and a light sensor. It is programmed by setting it to 'learn' and using the light sensor to feed barcoded commands. The command set is very limited. Since barcode is just a series of variances in light, this form of command entry was dubbed VLL (Visual Light Link) as has been used in several later Lego models. Scout Lego also released a brick named the Scout, which has 2 sensor ports, 2 motor ports, a built in light sensor, and no PC interface. The Scout can be programmed, but the user usually selects one of a collection of built-in programs. In order to program the Scout, a user must enable "power mode" on it. The Scout can store one program. The RCX can control the Scout brick using the Send IR Message program block. The RCX does all of the controlling, and therefore can be programmed with the PC, while the Scout acts as a "slave". The Scout brick must have all of its options set to "off". Press run and then send IR codes to it. The Scout is also cabable of using a 3:rd engine using VLL to slave a Micro Scout. RCX/Scout IR Communication Codes (IR Code/Left/Right) Micro Scout The Micro Scout was added as an entry level to Lego robotics. It is a very limited Pbrick with a single light sensor and a single built-in engine. It is not programmable but has seven precoded behaviours. The unit was sold as part of the Droid Developer Kit (featuring R2D2) and later the Darkside Developer Kit (featuring an ATAT Imperial Walker). However, the unit can be slaved to a Scout, Spybotics or RCX unit using it's light sensor as a VLL (Visual Light Link, or Barcode) receiver, adding an extra (weak) engine. Spybotics This was more of an attempt to expand on the Cybermaster line. The kits where sold together with a computer game where part was played on the computer and part was played by controlling the Spybot to solve a number of fixed missions. The Pbrick itself shares many features of the Cybermaster, 2 internal motors with full tachometer and speed feedback, but is has a single integrated touch sensor. It also features an optical out and light sensor, which doubles as computer interface. This interface can also be used to connect to the Scout, Micro Scout and possibly the Codepilot using VLL. It has an expanded IR functionality allowing it to communicate with other Spybots or RCX units. The IR unit also has limited direction and range function, allowing it to track and locate other Spybots, Remote Controls or RCX units. It was shipped with an IR remote control that can double as an IR beacon. Lego Mindstorms NXT The latest product in the Mindstorms series is Mindstorms NXT, released in August 2006 *. The kit includes three servo motors, a touch sensor, a light sensor (now with the ability to differentiate between colours based on greyscale readings), a new sound sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and a new NXT 'Intelligent Brick'. The kit is sold for $249 USD. The NXT 'Intelligent Brick' has a 32-bit ARM7 microprocessor running at 48 MHz and an 8-bit Atmel AVR microcontroller running at 4 MHz. The brick has 4 input ports, 3 output ports, a 60×100 pixel LCD matrix display, USB 2.0 port and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The ARM7 processor has access to 256 KiB of flash memory and 64 KiB of RAM, while the second processor only has access to (a separate) 4 KiB of flash and 512 bytes of RAM. It has four input and three output ports, though as the connections are digital, it is possible to add Multipacks to extend the amount of sensor and motor ports available. The connector used on I/O sockets is not the same design used on the RCX and use ports similar to an RJ12 connector. Built into the brick itself, there is a loudspeaker with 8 kHz D/A. The brick requires 6 AA type batteries. Alkaline batteries are recommended, though it will operate with rechargeables. The Lego Mindstorms NXT Set ships in two versions: The Retail Version and the Education Base Set. The NXT-Brick in the educational version ships with a rechargeable battery and charger. However, this kit doesn't include any programming software which is sold separately (different software licenses: Personal, Classroom, Site). Several developer kits are available, covering the NXT: * On May 1, 2006, LEGO announced that the NXT Intelligent Brick firmware would be released as Open Source by August 2006. * On October 12, 2006, it was not yet available. More information can be found on either the Lego Mindstorms website or on the Lego FAQ website. NXT Brick Parts See also | ||||||||
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