NXT-G 2.0 Edu out now!!

NXT-G 2.0 Edu is now available through LEGO Education!! Here is what the description says:

"This powerful, easy-to-use software for programming and data logging is icon based and incorporates Robot Educator, a step-by-step guide with 46 tutorials, from beginner to advanced levels. Data-logging functionalities, including graph viewer, make it easy to collect and analyze data from sensors. The software incorporates a comprehensive digital user manual. The software is Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Vista compatible."

LEGO Education

Can't wait to see the new datalogging feature? Try this MyBlock from Guy Ziv at NXTasy!!!

--> Datalogging block at NXTasy
--> Link to NXT-G 2.0 page on LEGO Ed

Mindstorms Pedal

When I saw Dave Parker's NXT Electric Guitar, I immediately thought about creating a Pedal to go with it. The pedal, when pressed, could perform a range of actions, including changing the sounds used (single note to chord), add a drum beat, or perform another useful task.

Here is my first attempt at creating a pedal. It uses one touch sensor, so it could be seen as a simple on/off switch - in which case it could be used for beginning a drum beat.

But there are many other applications for this pedal. You could create a car simulator and use it as a brake or acceleration pedal, just one example of what can be done.

Experiment and see what you can come up with!! Dave Parker has published his NXT Electric Guitar here at nxtprograms.com, as well as many other interesting projects - all of which can be built with one NXT kit!! Have a look if you haven't already.

AlphaRex with LEGO Rechargable Battery

First of all, Merry Christms to all blog readers!! To celebrate, I have created instructions for installing the LEGO Rechargeable Battery into the Alpha Rex, without a complete overhaul of the model!

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Parts:

After you have built the Alpha Rex, here are the extra parts you will need: 

We will only be modifying the torso of the Alpha Rex:

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Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

Step 7:

Step 8:

Swap Batteries here:

Step 9:

Step 10:

Step 11:

Step 12:

Step 13:

Amd that's it!! This minor modification worked for me, however, if it doesn't work for you, tell me and I will trry to solve any issues. If you find an issue, solve it, and send it to my e-mail address, I will credit you with your find.

LA

NXTLog Holiday Building Challenge!

With the coming up of various holidays, NXTLog have released a new competition, to build a  seasonal holiday related robot!!

The bot can be anything to do with seasonal holidays, Christmas, Thanks-Giving, etc,  and you have until the 31st December, 2008 to submit it.

All entries must be tagged with "NXT200812"

The same rules as other NXTLog competitions also apply
To see the article on NXTLog, click here

Model Inspiration

Hey all, you may have seen articles like this on the NXTStep, but I hope to give you some other ideas for building NXT models in this quick post:

1) Films - After watching a film or Television program, you might remember a few "trademark" images, for instance, a vehicle or machine. These can become great NXT models with some imagination and practical building skills. Examples of these include, Jungle-Cutter from Indiana Jones, Batpod from "The Dark Knight", "WALL-E" from WALL-E, etc.

2) Machines - Machines are often very good for replicating with NXT, as both their design and functions can be copied using the various sensors, motors, and other elements from LEGO. Examples of these include; Whac-a-mole, Robotized Bulldozer, etc

3) Vehicles - These are probably some of the easiest and most common creations to build, as many require only the basics of NXT building and programming skill to make. Some examples include; Drag Racer, autonomous robots, etc

4) Vehicle/Machine Hybrid - a mixture of the two, these are usually more advanced than a vehicle, and can be very technical, using gears, motors and sensors to get the job done. These are models like bulldozers, mobile cranes, etc.

5) Household Equipment - This group is very similar to the machines classification, but are used for household purposes, e.g. hover, blender, treadmill.

6) Fighting machines - Also branching out of the machines category, fighting machines can be challenging to make and be very entertaining to watch and play around with. Classic examples of these are Sumobots. Have a look at some here

7) Challenges – A challenge such as those on NXTlog can give you an idea for a model you might otherwise have never built. Check NXTLog for some great models from such challenges here, and have a look at previous challenges from NXTLog here



See what else you can think of. There are still many good ideas for building models waiting to be found. Think of what you have, what functions your creation would need, what sensors and other hardware you can/have to use.



And most of all, have fun challenging yourself!!!



More inspiration can be found on the NXTStep.

NXTLog's Cool Creature Building Challenge

Hey all, it has been a while since I last blogged or built anything, and this will continue to be so for about another 3 weeks due to exams, but I will still try to update this blog site when ever possible. This next article is probably quite old by now, but I will quickly mention it here anyway.

The Challenge? To build the coolest creature possible using LEGO MINDSTORMS! As quoted from the official NXTLog page on this competition:

Creature" for this contest means animals of any sort. So go out and build the most creative robotic animal you can imagine.

The competiton closes on Friday 31st October, 2008, and your entry must be tagged with "NXT200810" to be able to compete in the challenge. You must also explain how the robot is an animal in your NXTLOG documentation.

The Official NXTlog page for this challenge is here

Thats all for now, I have a few ideas for my next MINDSTORMS creation, which will hopefully be posted here after my exams.

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