New LEGO Education MINDSTORMS Gear for 2010

Hey all, here is a quick update about some exciting new NXT and Power Functions gear coming in 2010 via LEGO Education:

* NXT 2.0 Color sensor to be released!
* NXT DC Power pack and charger!!

Full details at: http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/2009/12/lego-education-2010-update.html

Project: Lunar Mineral Sorter (LMS) - Static

This year hosted the celebration of the first moon landing on the 20th July 1969, as well as the release of NXT 2.0 on the 1st August 2009! The LMS (Lunar Mineral Sorter) - Static Edition combines these two events into one NXTLog project buildable using one NXT 2.0 kit!To enhance the collection of available knowledge findable on the Moon, the LMS - SE was designed. once launched from the base shuttle, this stationary robot searches for minerals/rock samples (it can rotate up to 90 degrees left or right), lowers a mechanical arm and grabs the object, followed by scanning the object using the colour sensor to check if it is the object wanted by scientists back on Earth. If so, it is collected, and further objects are searched for. The LMS - SE can collect and hold up to 3 rock samples (aka: zamor balls).

Improvements
--------------------------

* Add a counter-weight onto the claw/grabber
* Possibly reduce the weight of the claw

More information, including CAD and Program files, will be added on the NXTLog page for this project over the next few weeks!

http://mindstorms.lego.com/nxtlog/ProjectDisplay.aspx?id=9ae21e33-e40d-4250-bc99-c24e02b5d7c0

NXTasy Forum Discussion
http://forums.nxtasy.org/index.php?showtopic=4051

New Temperature Sensor!

Now available via LEGO Education is the NXT Temperature Sensor!

Quoted from the LEGO Education Website:

"This digital temperature sensor can be calibrated to measure both Celsius and Fahrenheit using the NXT Intelligent Brick and the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education Software v.2.0"

The sensor currently costs $40 USD, and I would recommend getting both the sensor and NXT-G 2.0 at the same time, because as well as saving on postage and packaing costs, you also require NXT-G 2.0 to use the sensor (according to above quote)

Hi-Technic's new EOPD Sensor!

Recently Hi-Technic released their new Electro Optical Proximity Decetion sensor, or EOPD, a sensor that can:

"accurately detect objects and small changes in distance to a target . The EOPD or Electro Optical Proximity Detector uses an internal light source to detect the presence of a target or determine changes in distance to a target. By generating its own light source, the EOPD is able to filter out all external light signals so as a robot moves from bright areas to dimmly lit areas or through shadows, the EOPD automatically compensates and only returns a signal based on its own light source. Targets can be accurately detected over distances up to 12 inches (30 cm)"
(Hi-Technic's Website)

I will fully review this new sensor when I can get my hands on one ;-)
Meanwhile, check out Hi-Technic's webpage here for more information. This sensor currently costs $73.94USD to order and ship to New Zealand, or $46.99USD for the sensor excluding postage etc. To place an order, visit HiTechnic.

Also, if you didn't already know, there is a new HiTechnic IR-Link PowerFunctions block, that allows the NXT to control a PF motor's speed and direction. This NXT-G block can be found here