ROBOTMAK3RS Blog

Got an email from Joel Greenberg who is sharing a podcast he created that contains an interview with Soren about Mindstorms. From the email: "With Soren, I interviewed Ray Almgren, National Instrument's VP of Product Marketing at the NI User's Conference last month. I put together this piece to show that actively engaging Lead Users in product development ends up being a similar mindset to using viral and community marketing. More so than the Wired story on Mindstorms last February, I tried to get Soren and Ray to talk about why they did what they did, including why Soren emphasises viral marketing over mass advertising. We talk about: - How they used Lead Users in design. - Why Lego turns to their community for marketing. - How Lund sold the idea of using Lead Users to upper managment. - How to make something viral. - How to deal with the lawyers. " Check it out here . You can also find it on iTunes - do a search for "friends talking podcast"

We need your help. Many of us on this blog have been playing with the new NXT for some time now, and if we have a question, we dig in and try to answer it. But we'd like to know what questions you , the community, still have and would like answered. This can be as advanced or as basic as you want, and while there's no guarentee that we can answer your question... well, we certainly can't answer it if you don't ask it. So step up and ask! Building tips? Programming tips? Questions about batteries, the display, future uses, FLL, etc.? Ask away! Please feel free to send questions to jktechwriter@gmail.com, and we will try to select a question from the stream and answer it. -- Brian Davis

Are any educators out there using the new NXT curriculum published by the Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Academy? If so, how is it?

It may not have gone completely unnoticed that in the last weeks there has been a springing up like mushrooms of programming tools for the NXT in the community - in particular ones that enable you to remotely control the NXT from your PC seem to come into being every week in any imaginable language (while there still is a small set only that actually runs on the NXT). Here's my overview: Running on the NXT brick: NXT-G (official LEGO NXT IDE, contained in the kit) ROBOLAB (also by LEGO) NBC (Assembler style) RobotC (C) Running on the PC: NeXTToo l and BrickTool Microsoft Robotics Studio (C#/.NET) ICommand (Java) Visual Lego (.NET) NXT Perl (Perl) ruby-nxt (Ruby) LibNXT (C) NXTender (Java) Do you know of any others? Which one are you actually using? Which ones do you particularly like? What's your dream of a NXT programming environment? As for me, I'm anxious to see a Java VM running on the NXT another Model-Driven NXT devel...

Matthias has posted on his website the plans for a 3D-joint. Check it out here .

Sivan has brought us another great tool... from his email to me: "NXTender is a Windows program that allows your NXT to control your PC. It allows the NXT to send keyboard keyclicks to the PC (simulating a keyboard), to open windows and display data in them, and to receive joystick input from the PC. When you use NXTender, you normally program only the NXT brick. The NXTender runs on the PC and does not require programming. Bluetooth messages from the NXTtell the PC what to do, when to send data back, where to send it, what to display on the screen, etc. Additional functionality can be added to NXTender via relatively-simple plugins that are implemented in Java. That is, the standard version of NXTender does not allow your NXT to control your USB cup warmer, but if you know a little bit of Java and you know how to control that cup warmer from a PC program, then you can write a NXTender plugin that will give your NXT conrol of the cup warmer. Finally, a challenge. NXTender allows...

For those of you looking for Danny's JohnNXT5, the website has moved here . Also, check out the Omni-Biped... I like this one.

A lot of folks share their NXT builds and programs with others. But what about those who sell their NXT creations via books and file downloads (like rifagent.com)? Is it OK to create an NXT project and then sell the information? Personally, I hope there's room for BOTH free and proprietary creations. What does everybody else think?

Please welcome Rick Rhodes to The NXT STEP.

Bram Fokke sent me a link to his website - some great stuff here. He's got an interesting tale to tell regarding his troubles with Bluetooth here . You'll also find an introduction to Bram's "Visual Lego" - from his site: "Visual Lego is a library for .NET which allows controlling your Lego Mindstorms NXT Brick from your C# or VB.NET application using the Bluetooth link. This allows you to combine the power of .NET with the power of Mindstorms NXT! The first version is nearly finished. When it's done, I'll post it for download."

I have uploaded 115 images that contain the building instructions for the CouchBotato. You can find Step1 starting here . UPDATE: The purpose of the CouchBotato is silly - for ROBOT magazine, I wrote about a silly desire to have a bot that would roll out and get a bag of potato chips sitting about 10 feet from my couch. I programmed it to use the Sound sensor to determine Left/Right directions and to stop and close the claws around the bag.

Some people asked me on methods to design a robot beforehand (sort of drawing table) and then just building the real model in one run. For truth to tell, I don't know about an efficient way to do this (let alone a way to do so that makes fun also - one could use LDraw , of course, but "Ldrawing" without a real model on your table is likely to turn out a complete drudgery): as for me, I commonly start with a rough idea only and then build away, frequently changing the design while the robot comes gradually into being. How about you? What is your procedure in building NXT robots? Curious, Matthias Paul

Sivan Toledo has posted a new article here . The Joystick Controlled Ultrasonic Explorer is a great example of two-way Bluetooth communication between a PC and the NXT. He's also included a video.

Over at the LEGO ed blog, they've got a link for teachers to take part in a product development focus group . I'm not a teacher, so I don't have any details, but I'm sure they'll appreciate your help if you are a teacher and can participate...

UPDATE: Jonathan has posted some videos in his Brickshelf folder here . Got some more details from Jonathan on his design: The Robotic Hand works via a scissor arm. When the scizzor arm extends fully, the hand closes. It has a really tight grip because the motors always exert pressure on it, and it has rubber "fingers" to get good traction. The hand can also rotate side to side, controlled by the arrow keys. The Sphere Gun uses much the same mechanism that Brian Davis used in his DAZLR - a motor moves an axle in and out of the launcher, discharging the zamor spheres. A magazine above it holds twelve spheres and feeds them into the launcher as long as the arm is straight or slanted down. The magazine opens easily for quick reloading. The Sonic Eye is the US sensor. When it detects an object closer than 5 inches, it says, "Watch out!", to warn you that an obstacle is near.The Infralight is the light sensor. It turns on it's light when you select the light icon - ...

The partnership between LEGO and HiTechnic was announced at BrickFest, but you can read the official press release by clicking the "News and Announcements" link here , on HiTechnic's website. I'd like to point out one sentence in the announcement: "HiTechnic's sensors also will integrate seamlessly within the NXT software programming environment..." What this means is that you can expect NXT-G blocks that will drop-in just like a regular programming block and the configuration panel can be used to modify settings. The first sensor from HiTechnic, the Compass Sensor, is scheduled for availability at the end of September 2006.

I was out of town for a few days, so I apologize to Peter Hoh that I didn't get a chance to welcome him to The NXT Step. I've had the opportunity to speak and email with Peter and I think you'll enjoy his perspective on the NXT (and the STEP before The NXT Step!). Peter's already written some information below about his involvement with LEGO and working with kids... please welcome him and, as always, if you have any questions or comments for him or anyone else on The NXT Step team, let us know.

April 2007 may seem like a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. I've talked to some coaches and teachers and I've heard everything from panic to confusion to excitement, but typically a mixture of all 3. I think we all recognize that the best part of FLL isn't winning... it's the entire process the teams must go through to get from A to Z. I heard so many teams last year telling me that they really didn't care if they won... many told me they had so much fun that they forgot about the competition. I'm fortunate that I currently live in Atlanta, GA where the final International competition is held... I can't wait for April 2007. Good luck to ALL the teams and maybe I'll get to meet some of you next April!

Video here of a RC Bot. "This is my remotebot. It is controlled via bluetooth from a C++ app that is run from my laptop. The application takes input from the dual analog sticks from my gamepad to control remotebot."

Thanks to Martyn B. for notifying me about LEGO Ed's posting of the Building Instructions for the base unit here . The Education User Guide is also there for those who might be interested in looking for differences between the two versions.

Jonathan sent me an email about his entry for the official NXT contest. Makes me think of Boba Fett or others with wrist-mounted devices. Jonathan's comments: Meet my new assistant – the A27 Bionic Glove. Designed to give special capabilities, the Bionic Glove straps comfortably on the lower arm, armed with a sphere gun, extending hand with voice command, radar, and light. The display has a menu on it with icons, which can be selected using the arrow and enter keys. When the right arrow key is pressed, the next icon is underlined. When the desired icon is underlined, the enter key can be pressed to bring up a submenu. When the X2 Robotic Hand icon is selected, the display tells the user to input sound. When a sound command is given, the hand extends and grabs at a speed directly related to the volume of the sound command given. When a sound command is given again, the hand opens and retracts. The hand can also be moved left or right using the respective arrow keys. The...

Peter sent me a link and a copy of an article from Salon titled "Why Johnny Can't Code" - no commentary from me (yet). Just read the article and post some comments if you have them. I'd especially like to hear from some younger readers on what they think... Read it here .

For those of you who have been watching Danny's progress on the NXT version of Johnny 5, the JohnNXT5, you'll be happy to hear that Danny has posted a parts list! View it here - and post comments for Danny if you like what you're seeing.

Sorry to say but no NXT captions made the final three. see http://www.cartoonbank.com/CapContest/CaptionContest.aspx?tab=vote

Is there anyone on an FLL Team that would like to sound off? I'll start. Coach: Levy, Team: TatorBots , Reston VA USA!!

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=21380

For the past 10 years, I've been teaching science enrichment classes. One of my classes, LEGO Challenges, is built around the Dacta 1030 set. Without any directions, and using just the pieces in the set, students try to build the tallest tower, the strongest bridge, or the car that will go the farthest when rolled down a ramp. My students get started on a challenge, share ideas, and then refine and apply what they've learned from each other. If necessary, I'll demonstrate a helpful technique. I don't let my students look at the instruction booklets until they have spent time building on their own. It's not that I'm opposed to instructions -- I just think they should follow some initial exploration. I'll confess that I never warmed up to the first generation of Mindstorms. My own kids were too young for it, and where I work, other teachers led the robotics classes. I'm looking forward to working with Mindstorms NXT, but my primary interest right now is th...

I dont know if this will get posted. Trying somethign new. Sending from my cell phone. cool. Comment from Jonathan says that rif has updated its website www.rifagent.com . Cant view it from myphone. Flash maybe? Argh. Flying to Texas. Signing off. Sorry about spelling. Hate to use small keys to backspace. Jim

Hello, everybody. I'll be out of town tonight through Sunday night... probably extremely limited email and blog access. Be sure to bug Brian, Matthias, Tony, and the rest of the crew by posting comments on here about what you'd like to see covered... give 'em something to do :) (kidding, you guys) Everyone have a great weekend... Jim

Check it out here . This is going to be a GREAT tool for collaboration and sharing... Jim

Reader Anibal P. emailed me, asking about details on the truck on the back of the NXT box. I am surprised to say that I never even noticed it! We already got plans and programs for the Cuckoo clock and the Sound Machine - both of these were displayed on the box... so maybe this one will be released soon. Anyone have any information on the truck?

Well we kicked off the fall club yesterday afternoon. It lasted 2.5 hours. We had 30 kids show up. I’d say the hardest part was setting up the tables and chairs and spreading out the laptops and LME NXT kits. We had 10 LME kits built earlier from our two summer sessions. I added two additional LME boxes out of our remaining stock and spread the 12 sets across 6 tables. It took time ( about 40 minutes) because I was only expecting 24, not 30 kids. Once all the kids were assigned kits (mostly the same ones that they used in the summer) they were told to proceed where they left off with the Robot Educator. I actually thought I could run the club with more structure but there were just too many students (even with five other parents there to help me set up). Still, it was amazing how easy it was for the kids to just follow the tutorials at their own pace. A sixth grade girl even reached step 20 where a robot identifies a red ball and subsequently w...

Dave's book looks good ... check it out here . No details yet, but I'll see what I can find.

Scott emailed me to let me know that some images of the SAZLR (Single Action Zamor Launching Robot) have been posted on flickr here . Brian, what have you started? :) Thanks, Scott... for sharing!

Check it out here - Sivan's new article titled "$250 Presentation Remote"

Hi folks! CAD program installations and model rendering are not very fun experiences for someone new to this neck of the woods. It could take a lot of steam from one’s enthusiasm reserves to even figure out how to get started. Since some of the manual installation steps are a bit unclear and/or hard to follow from one site’s page to another… I have finally started to do something about it. As a Host in the Official LEGO MindStorms Forum over the last 8 years I'm often faced with repeat questions and pleas for help. CAD installation help has always been one of the biggest topics. I feel strongly for (and cannot emphasize enough) the importance of rendering any creation and recording it with a CAD program before it is lost forever. The possibility of saving something forever is worth a billion times its electronic weight in gold. Not to mention the completely invaluable worth renderings offer as learning tools when generously shared with the world of fellow builders. So, plea...

We will not forget.

To whom it may concern: I've created building instructions for my most complex robot so far, the Dicke Bertha Typ II (already mentioned in a previous post). Just to give anyone who is on the wing to starting "Ldrawing" a hint about the efforts one has to face with it : though MLCAD is a fantastic tool, whilst creating the LDRAW file for Dicke Bertha Typ II, I listened to the international football (am.: soccer) match San Marino - Germany ( 0-13 ! highest out win ever ;-) ) a Bollywood movie where some Indian hero (almost) single-handedly stormed a Kashmir hill occupied by disguised Pakistani soldiers (and the heart of an Indian beauty) the radio live transmission of the first round of the German football (am.: soccer) cup. Which sums up to 7 hours in all. Hence be prepared for creating LDraw files not being the most thrilling experience of your life... Matthias Paul (storming the LDraw hill - where are the beauties?)

A set of 3 converter cables have appeared, for connecting your NXT brick to RCX sensors, and Technic lamps and motors. Available to order in the UK for £6.99, not yet available to order in the US though. Set number 8528: http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=8528&cn=55&t=5&d=13 Also a set of NXT cables. Though the details are confused. The picture shows the 7 cables, of three different lengths, from the NXT kit. The description says the set is 6 cables of 19.5" (50cm) length. Available to order in both the US ($9.99) and UK (£6.99). Set number 8529: http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=8529&cn=55&d=11&t=5 Ttfn, Tony

The Lego NXT kits are advertised in Europe as being supplied with Duracell batteries, including on the Lego Shop at Home site. http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=B8527&cn=55&d=11&t=5 How were the batteries supplied? The rechargeable batteries I ordered turned up a while ago, but the batteries I was expecting with the NXT kit have not shown up. Just trying to see if anybody else is affected ... - Thanks, Tony

A while back a friend asked if he could LDRAW up some building instructions for JennToo... to which I replied "you bet!". So for folks who want professional-looking instructions for a simple NXTbot, take a look here: LegoEdWest Extreme thanks to James Isom, who used my series of assembly photos to develop an instruction set that looks like it's ready for publication. I also have to thank some unnamed students who tried building JennToo, only to find my caster assembly impossible with the parts in the educational kit... so they invented their own. -- Brian Davis

Sivan Toledo has created an interesting little NXT bot... and a challenge to solve a problem before viewing a possible solution. View it here . Thanks, Sivan, for sharing.

Hello, everybody - just a personal blog item here. I've been very busy with my "real job" and have missed playing and building new bots. But I've got some free time coming up and I plan on getting back to it. I've got one idea I'm anxious to test out... more on that later. FLL teams next week will be getting the "written" details for the challenges in this year's contest - most teams already have the pieces and have built the challenges, but some of them are vague. I'd like to hear from those of you involved in FLL - tell me about your teams, about the challenges, and after next week, tell me about these strange contraptions that the teams will have to deal with... I hate to say it (and I'm sure LEGO doesn't want to hear it), but I'm ready for some expansion kits! We've already got some 3rd party sensors available, but I'd like to see some new sensors that we haven't seen before... any ideas? maybe some different...

BusinessWeek has a slideshow (with commentary) of the new PicoCricket Kit. Apparently, LEGO has partially funded a startup that is selling the kit (8 projects come with it). View the article and slideshow here .

For those of you following the RIF website, there's been some changes... take a look . The trapdoor also opened and when you click on it, it takes you to an agent roster page. My guess is that agents will have their information kept here since there are so many blank slots.

Over at the LEGO Education blog, they've posted Question 1 for FLL coaches: How has the NXT changed (or how might it change) your team’s approach to working through the challenges? Are some tasks easier? More difficult? Tell us what you think. They're asking for feedback, so please take a look here and let them know what you think...

The official website has posted some information on the recent "Big Robot on Campus" events... they include coverage of "Second Life", "GAP Kids", and others.

Bryan's uploaded some more details on his WOPR... check it out here .

The folks over at NXTasy have been kind enough (and hard-working enough!) to get a copy of the instructions for DAZLR on-line. While credit for the design may be mine, all credit for getting these instructions formatted and published on-line really goes to the folks over at NXTasy, especially Guy Ziv who got me to assemble and comment on the images (he's the one responsible for the nice formatting; I'm the one responsible for any mistakes or problems). A word of warning - I like instructions that combine steps... treat it like a puzzle ;-). -- Brian Davis

Update on NXT memory capacity See the new posting from the First Lego League site -david

Remember Big Bertha , the Blue Ball Gun? Well, I've tampered with it these last days, and created a Dicke Bertha Typ II that now features a (detachable) magazine for four balls and a target-seeking rotating ultrasonic sensor. Sad to say, the firing range hasn't improved noteworthy, so I certainly will not win the Throw It! challenge on NXTasy.org with it... Nevertheless, have a look! /Matthias Paul

The NXT STEP - Lego Mindstorms NXT Blog New Yorker Magazine Caption Contest has a Robot Cartoon. Let's see if a NXT Step blogger can make the final three: click here -david

Filip has posted a short tutorial for creating a custom icon for a MyBlock. Check it out here .

Using time-lapse videography to demonstrate a bot being assembled... nice idea, but needs better lighting, slower assembly and more detail (closeups) for it to be useful to others... still, as a way to show the construction process, it's not bad... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vxc27lqIEM This person should try the DogChaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTtW980t1Ig Not sure what I'm looking at and the video repeats a lot, but the bot is cool to look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3BgcoL5Lk0

Well, we had over 22,000 hits on The NXT STEP, with more than 37,000 page views. Unique visitors total over 8,000 with over 80 countries represented! Thank you ALL for visiting and for your comments!

I only got one picture, but I wanted to point out another robot that was making the rounds at BrickFest. John Barnes brought a nifty little robot that would sort different colored 2x2 bricks into circular bins. For anybody that has tried color sorting with the "standard" LEGO light sensor, this might seem like magic, but it's yet another example of a custom sensor that HiTechnic has been working on. Not only is it a nice demonstration of the color sensor, but it's a nice mechanical model as well, with a pivoting conveyor to drop the blocks into the proper dish. This is another sensor that a lot of us have been asking for for quite a while. -- Brian Davis

Well, I'm away for a day-and-a-half and I return to find weapon systems for NXT! My how this product matures quickly! After playing around with the compass some more, I realized I wanted a little more detail on how the motors interact (conflict) with the new Compass Sensor. So I did some quick tests: 1. I built a small frame to hold the sensor away from the Brick and one motor. 2. I got the Compass Sensor to return a fixed value of 0 (North). 3. I then slowly moved the motor towards the sensor and watched the value. In this figure, the compass still returns a value of 0. The Brick shows 358, but it would change a few times and settle to 0. In this figure, the motor is slightly closer and the value stayed consistently at 2. Not bad. But at other times, the reading would jump to near 280 and then back to 2. An accurate reading, then an inaccurate one. Maybe some pulses from the motor or compass or both? In this final image, I held the motor next to the sensor. The value fluctuated be...