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Review: LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. From a programmable DV-R that knows when and what to record with little prompting to smart phones with Internet search providers, such as Google, that can predict what you want to search for on the Internet based on personal information, it is becoming a fixture in our daily lives.
Now, it’s even entering our children’s worlds. Back in 2006, LEGO released Mindstorm NXT, which offered Artificial Intelligence in the form of a build-it-yourself robot for the home. Now, the second generation of the success that was LEGO Mindstorms NXT 1.0 is available and ready to be built and programmed by anyone with about 30 minutes to spare.
What is LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0?
LEGO Mindstorms NXT is the second generation of robotics products from The LEGO Group. It introduces entry-level robotics, engineering, and programming to children (recommended for ages 10 and up). Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 comes with the highest developed, advanced level hardware and simple, practical, easy-to-use programming software.
In about 30 minutes, you can build and program a humanoid, vehicular, mechanical, or animal robot that performs what ever task you want. The set comes with everything you need to build and program your very own intelligent LEGO robot that can perform multiple different operations.
What’s in the box?
- 619 LEGO TECHNIC building elements – panels, gears, wheels, tracks, tires etc
- NXT LEGO brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, 4 input sensor ports, 3 output motor ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link.
- 1 NXT micro-computer – the 32-bit microprocessor brain of the robot
- 2 Touch Sensors – the robot’s feelers that detect when there it is being pressed or released that allow your robot to ‘feel’ and react to its physical environment
- 1 Ultrasonic Sensor – one of three sensors that act as the robot ‘eyes.’ These sensors act like a radar, allowing the robot to see, measure distance and react to movement
- 1 Color Sensor with triple functionality – the ‘eyes’ that allows the robot to detect different colors, light settings and acts as a red, green, or blue lamp
- 1 Light sensor – the ‘eyes’ that can read light and color intensity as well as distinguish between light and dark
- 3 Interactive servo motors with built-in rotation sensors with an accuracy of +/- 1 degree.
- 7 connector cables for linking motors and sensors to the NXT
- User Guide – with building instructions for your first robot and an introduction to the hardware and software
- CD with easy-to-use software for MAC or PC with an icon-based programming language called NXT-G – the CD also features 16 fun building and programming challenges for four different active robot models
- 1 LEGO Mindstorms NXT toolkit that comes with programming examples and a user friendly walk through introduction to the different programming blocks.
- 1 Test Pad for testing out your robots
- Batteries not included
What can you build with the set?
There are four main models that range in building difficulty featured in the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics toolkit. The beginner Quick Start model can be assembled and programed in 30 minutes, as previously mentioned. But there is no end to what kind of robot you can build as this kit comes with all the pieces and parts you would need to create whatever kind of robot that you can imagine.
In fact, hundreds of alternate robot designs are available on the included software. The NXT-G programming software is an intuitive, icon-based drag-and-drop programming language designed for an easy introduction to programming for new users and experienced users. By choosing program blocks that work with the motors and make the sensors react to inputs, you simply build up your program block by block, and you can create programs that range from simple to complex.
The four main LEGO models
- Shooterbot is a mobile vehicle robot that will protect your room or office by shooting balls at intruders.
- Color Sorter is a robotic sorting machine that sorts different colored objects and dispense them as you desire. This model can be modified to include a catapult mechanism that will precisely shoot different colored objects at whatever target you choose.
- Robogator is an animal robot that maneuvers like an alligator. It also serves as a protective machine as the enhanced motion sensor technology of NXT allows it to jumps forward and snap at anything that comes too near.
- Alpha Rex is the ultimate robot. It is an easy assemble, multiple function humanoid robot. It walks and turns, dances, talks, sees and avoids obstacles, grabs and distinguishes between different colored objects and much more!
Additional Features
Any user can personalize their robot with the Sound and Icon editors in the programming kit. These editors allow for your robot to whistle, hum, and display different person specific icons on the display. Then, once your latest robot program is finished, a user can share the files with friends and other users by using the Pack-N-Go project packager.
Additionally, LEGO provides a online community called NXTLOG which consists of thousands of NXT users who share their individual Mindstorm 2.0 creations with each other through text, pictures, and video. All projects uploaded onto the LEGO NXTLOG come with pictures or videos and descriptions of the inventions, and many users are also created building instructions and have submitted programs for their models.
The NXTLog project page also has a tag cloud which categorize the different types of robots for easy web surfing and project browsing. Parents should be cautioned that this is an open, online forum and children should be supervised while browsing.
What people are saying about LEGO Mindstorm 2.0
The target audience for LEGO Mindstorms 2.0 is children ages 10 and up. The younger end of this spectrum may need some assistance with the setup and to become familiar with the technology and how it works. However, LEGO Mindstorms 2.0 is so easy and intuitive that the assistance won’t needed for long.
Given a little bit of time, any tween or teen will quickly become accustomed to the parts and how they all work together. Schools use Mindstorms 2.0 for Robotics Club meetings. It is an toy that introduces and focuses on teaching concepts such as basic robotics, problem solving, engineering skills, programming skills, and imaginative play all while being incredibly fun! LEGO Mindstorm is an easy to assemble, fun, sturdy, durable, colorful, creative, educational activity that enhances fine motor skill development.
People love that you can let your imagination go wild by building basically any robotic concept that you can think to build. There is even an online community off of the LEGO website that is specifically geared towards experimental and self-created robots. Anyone can take pictures and describe what their concept was, how they built their robot, and what task they programed their robot to perform. Models on the website range from an NXT Turkey named Tyson to a paper airplane gun and an artificial forearm and hand.
If you need further proof of how phenomenal this product is, check out examples of models from other robot inventors on the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXTLOG yourself or buy the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 today!
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