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Meet the ROBOTMAK3R: Anna Opsahl

By Asha Seshan - ROBOTMAK3R

Anna Hui Opsahl is an engineering student from Norway. She is known for reverse engineering complicated LEGO models and for her MINDSTORMS droids. Anna likes to make LEGO robots from movies and television that are recognizable by kids and adults. She often builds digital models in Studio.io before she makes a physical version because this gives her a good idea of all the parts needed. When she is building them in Studio, she makes a rough instruction for herself that she can refer back to when she starts the physical build. Anna was a competitor in the first season of LEGO Masters Norway in 2021. She has won several awards at Norwegian LEGO conventions for her MINDSTORMS droids. Most recently, she was nominated in the category "Best Mechanical Creation" and won in the category "Best Star Wars" at Brickworld Chicago.

How did you get started playing with LEGO MINDSTORMS/LEGO Robots?

I have always been fascinated by LEGO robots and robotics. I love that you can build anything that you can imagine with LEGO and make it move by using motors, pneumatics, and mechanical mechanism. I think that the movement of a model gives the creation an extra dimension that I am really into.

How has MINDSTORMS/LEGO Robots impacted you?

It has challenged me to learn new things and made me want to pursue a career in robotics.

What is you favorite project? 

My favorite project until now is Star Wars Rebels Chopper. Chopper is my favorite because it has a lot of different functions and because it was my first big MINDSTORMS project.

Chopper is a 70cm tall build that can drive around on two and three legs. His body tilts when the third leg comes down. He has an arm at the body that moves and the head can spin around and wiggle a little bit from side to side. He has two arms in his head that can move in and out, together or separate from each other. Chopper also has an antenna that moves and he makes sounds. He can also be remote controlled via Bluetooth.

You can see Chopper in action here.

What are your tips for young robot builders?

My tip is to keep playing and explore the possibilities of what is possible.

What is a fun/significant LEGO-related story you would like to share?

My most significant LEGO-related story is when I got to be a part of the first season of LEGO Masters Norway. (Photo Credit: BrickNerd) The most exciting aspect of being part of LEGO Masters was to be a part of the whole production, and to meet the crew and the other competitors. The coolest thing I created on the show was probably the model where we made our creations blow up, and the one where we made different apartments that stacked on top of each other to form a giant penthouse. The most challenging part of LEGO Masters was that we had to build within the time limit. The single most challenging project was the one where we got a half guitar and make the other half such that it would tell a story.

Where can we see more of your work?

Visit Flickr or Instagram.

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