Saturday, June 21, 2008

NXT Whac-A-Mole



After blogging about the latest NXT competition, I decided that I might as well enter it. My entry? A NXT Whac-A-Mole! All of the details can be seen on NXTLog(http://mindstorms.lego.com/NXTLOG/ProjectDisplay.aspx?id=e246a926-5dbf-480d-8d6d-cd03c84ed458)

Here is a link to a YouTube video showing the NXT Whac-A-Mole in action!


The NXT Whac-A-Mole uses two NXT bricks and an assortment of motors and sensors to create an excellant entertaining and amusing game machine that the whole family can enjoy.



Summary:

The score tower was made using the Catapillar tracks also from the Techic Bulldozer. When a point is scored, the tracks move, causing an attached score indicator to be raised or lowered.

When the score indicator reaches the top of the tower, an Ultrasonic Sensor tells the master NXT brick to lower the score indicator and begin a new, faster, harder game for the player.



The Light sensors and Hi-Technic Colour Sensor are used to help create an exciting atmosphere, and can easily be programmed to light up in a series of patterns when the player scores a point.

Using Bluetooth, the "Slave" NXT brick tells the "Master" brick whenever a mole is hit. The moles are made out of many engine chassis from such models as the Technic Bulldozer. When hit, the engine chassis pushes down onto a touch sensor, which tells a NXT brick to add a point to the player's score, raising a point indicator attached to a score tower.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

NXT NXT Challenge!


The NXT NXT challenge is the latest building challenge from LEGO! Your model has to incorperate two NXTs, but only one has to be built into your creation, so the other one can be used as a remote control, etc. The NXT bricks HAVE TO communicate with each other though, so some knoledge on how to program a NXT brick to communicate via Bluetooth may be useful. All participating models have to be uploaded complete with write-up, .RBT file, LDD file(!), pictures and the Tag "NXT200805" by Monday the 30th June, 2008.
Making an LDD file with LEGO Digital Designer is a rather off putting thought though, as that element of the submission will probably take the longest time to complete (After the physical model of course!)
Here's a link to the Official LEGO website for this challenge:

New LEGO PowerFunctions Winch Block



While browsing through a shop in a mall, a new LEGO Creator Model caught my eye, the #4995 Cargo Copter. With this set comes the new LEGO Power Functions Winch Block, an interesting new addition to the Power Functions series of LEGO elements. (Sorry bout the bad quality of the Pic - I will try and get a better quality one soon)



The PF Winch Block looks like the PF Sound Block with a spool of thread attached to the side. I presume that the PF Winch Block works slightly like the PF Sound Sensor, when the button is pressed the winch lowers or raises.As I do not currently own this new PF element I can't say much about it, but when I compared the size of the PF Battery Box to the length of the PF Winch's thread on the box's picture, it didn't look very long.



The Cargo Copter set currently costs around $40NZD, which, when compared to what you get, is slightly overpriced. I personally will wait and see if the PF Winch is included in another, better value for money set, before purchasing.



A Link to the Official LEGO Creator page for the #4995 Cargo Copter: http://creator.lego.com/en-us/Products/Vehicles/Default.aspx

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Finally, a Blog!!!

Welcome to my new Blogspot page. Here I will post my LEGO MINDSTORMS creations and review the latest LEGO TECHNIC and MINDSTORMS elements and books.