ROBOTMAK3RS Blog

The article is an introduction to the NXT and other robotics kits. The NXTStep Blog and the "NXT Idea Book" are mentioned within the article. Read it here .

Michael, a young student at Pace Academy in Atlanta (Ga., USA), has created a robot based on my NXT Slot Machine from The LEGO® MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book . A nice movie can be found here .

Some members of the NXTStep Blog are writing a NEW book, a sequel to the "NXT Idea Book". The working title of the book is: LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book, Volume 2: 10 More Amazing Robots for You to Build Now! All of the robots in the book can be built with the NXT retail kit. More details are here .

BenderBot: The Anti-Theory Music Robot Here's a freshly thrown video providing some idea of BenderBot's functionality and purpose. BenderBot is a musical instrument which generates sound suitable for sampling and recording just as with any instrument. However, this instrument is like no other. You program and play it however you wish. The slate is clean (aside the sample programs and ideas) for you to create your own music. The bot can be set to run autonomously or can be operated manually. You program it as you wish. Viewers may notice (or knob-up your PC speakers until you do) the wild sound track segments near the start and end of the video. These segments are the results of a home recording studio production of BenderBot, an electric guitar, a sound processor pedal, and a Circuit Bent Texas Instruments Speak & Spell. These instruments were used to create sound samples that were then assembled into a nice track. Breaking it down further concerning BenderBot...with your P...

Now, you (or our parents) have an additional option! LEGO Shop@Home is now offering the NXT Idea Book in the Fall/Winter (you know, Christmas) season catalog. In case you missed it...find it here on page 43 within the 2 NXT pages! Same goes for the print version if you received a copy. The NXT Idea Book really is a nice way to expand your NXT experience. Enjoy! Christopher

The Idea Book is out - if you've pre-ordered a copy, you should see it arriving soon. We've got a special section in our forum where you can discuss the book, ask questions, and more. If you find any errors, please let us know so we can include it in the Errata section and make a fix available for everyone who owns the book. (Yes, errors do occur in books, but the Internet has made it so easy to find and share corrections.) And if you own a copy of the book and attend any future LEGO events (BW, FLL, BB, etc), bring it - if any of the authors are present, they'll be happy to sign it for you.