ROBOTMAK3RS Blog

Now available is the CD LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 by Example , which contains the NXT 2.0 projects from nxtprograms.com in convenient CD format plus exclusive bonus projects and bonus material. Designed to be both fun and educational, the CD is intended for users of the NXT 2.0 (8547) kit (NXT 1.0 users see the CD 65 Fun Projects for your LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT ). In addition to the 23 NXT 2.0 Projects on nxtprograms.com, the CD also contains the following exclusive bonus content: Over 70 ready-to-run and fully commented NXT-G programs for the new Multi-Bot project, for both fun and programming education (beginner to advanced). Studying and using these programs will provide an extensive education in NXT-G programming, including a variety of techniques for motor control, sensor usage, and more (see the program descriptions ). A new Vending Machine project. The Pinball Machine project (demonstrated at the LEGO booth at FLL World Festival 2009). The full version of the Guitar Challenge ...

NXT user Robin Newman has started a cool new web site where he fully documents three different ball sorting robots he designed for NXT 2.0 (and I hear another one is on the way). Included on the site are full building instructions with photos, programs, videos, and a nice description of his design process and experiences working on these. Nice work Robin! Check it out.

Just in time for the holidays, I have updated the project CD on nxtprograms.com, now called 65 Fun Projects for your LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT , to include building instructions and programs for all 65 of the NXT 1.X projects on the site, including the newer ones such as the Forklift, Dial Remote Control, Peg Sorter, Claw Striker, Trailer Pull, Combination Lock Box, and more... The CD also contains the full verson of the new NXT Guitar Challenge Game project. The full version of this game is available only on the CD, and includes a PC (Windows) graphical song recorder/editor, so you can "record" and edit Guitar Challenge Game songs for your favorite music on your PC and download them to the NXT to play along with. Owners of the CD also get access to additional songs on the web submitted by other users of the game, and full source code for the game and recording programs, for those advanced NXT programmers who are interested in getting exposed to some NXC and C/C++ programming. The...

In preparation for the official launch of NXT 2.0 (any time now...). The nxtprograms.com web site has been updated to start providing projects for the new NXT 2.0 kit as well as the original NXT kit. To start with, I posted a few projects based on a castor wheel chassis (a useful vehicle type not included in the standard LEGO NXT 2.0 instructions), including an NXT 2.0 version of the classic Explorer project from nxtprograms.com. More details on the projects will be posted after the official launch. More projects will be rolled out as time allows.

You've heard the saying "Don't forget the batteries!" That saying certainly still applies, but if there is an NXT kit for someone on your Christmas/Holiday gift list, I would also encourage you to not forget the instructions! The LEGO NXT kit comes with minimal instructions, so by adding a book or a CD to your gift, you can open up many, many more doors for the recipient and provide for much more fun and enrichment. This is similar to "Don't forget the software" when buying a computer. And if your special someone already has an NXT set, adding a CD or book can really help re-energize their existing NXT set, so a CD or book gift for them is a great value. In my experience teaching hundreds of kids robotics over the years, and feedback from their parents, when the the kids are at home working on their own set, the majority of kids need some help with building instructions, and almost all kids need help with the programming. Providing the extra instruct...

The nxtprograms.com website reached a milestone recently, with 50 projects posted, all with full building instructions and downloadable programs. To celebrate this milestone, I have published a new version of the CD titled " 50 Fun Projects for your LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT ", now in a full color jewel case. The CD is useful for anyone who wants to access the projects without a fast internet connection in their LEGO room, as a backup against network flakiness, or just as a nice addition to their collection of books and other NXT resources. A significant bulk discount is also available for teachers and coaches to order multiple copies to use in their classrooms and/or distribute to their students. Also, by popular demand, I have started to try to enter the video age by posting videos of the projects on YouTube. There are some there now from the most recent projects, and as I have time, I will be rebuilding and videoing the past projects to get more up there.