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

NXT Jungle Cutter

Straight from "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" comes the NXT Jungle Cutter! As seen in the film, the NXT Jungle Cutter can cut down trees using its' front saw blades (Exo-Force Wheels), and crush stray branches and twigs with its' 'Grinder' mounted just above the front triangular 'shield' (See Pictures).The NXT brick is mounted behind all of this inside the cabin of the Jungle Cutter.The NXT Jungle Cutter uses two NXT Servo Motors, as well as 2 PF Motors (One PF Motor is a dud, and is mainly a cosmetic and used to keep the model symetrical and balanced). The PF motors are connected to the NXT Brick using a converter cable that was made by cutting a PF Motor wire and a NXT cable wire in half, and then soldering them together. One PF Motor controls the front saw, and the other the Grinder mounted just above the saw.

The Saw and Grinder,

The 'Saw' of the NXT Jungle Cutter was made using two wheels from the Exo-Force model "Mobile Devastator (Set# 8108), and is powered using one PF Large Motor (The other PF motor is a 'dud', and is used to keep the model symmetrical). As one wheel turns, powered by the PF motor, it meshes with the other wheel, allowing it to rotate as well. A castor wheel has been attached to the Exo-Force wheels to help them balance and mesh.

The Grinder is mounted just above the saw, and is powered using a small PF motor and a worm gear.

The Tracks

The Tracks of the NXT Jungle Cutter are both powered by individual Servo Motors, and are connected to the front of the model either side of the 'saw'.

NXT Batpod - Videos

I have just uploaded a video of the NXT Batpod being autonomous on YouTube, here it is:



Another video of the NXT Batpod in action can be found here

NXT BatCycle ( Batpod )

To celebrate the release of Batman’s latest film, “The Dark Knight”, the NXT BatCycle was created! Armed and dangerous, the BatCycle can handle any opponents it may encounter with its’ hidden rocket launcher that expands from the body of the bike. With its’ large wheel area, the NXT BatCycle can also stand and move unaided! (with minor turning exceptions)


The BatCycle is a possible NXT (NeXT) generation of the Dark Knight’s vehicle collection, and has been designed in terms of style to be as similar to Batman’s other vehicles (Batmobile, Batwing, Batboat, etc) as possible (Black TECHNIC panels)

The BatCycle’s documentation has been split up into four main modules, as well as a small section on the NXT BatCycle’s weapon, and how to construct the black TECHNIC panels from the TECHNIC Tow Truck (Set No. 8285). An .LXF file of the basic construction of the BatCycle as well as a basic program, have also been provided on the NXTLog page for this model.

For more information on the NXT BatCycle, please check out its' NXTLog page here

NXTLog Summer Olympics Challenge!

With the upcoming Summer Olympics almost upon us, NXTlog has released a new Building Challange! The Summer Olympics Building Challenge requires the competitiors to create a NXT robot that would be able to compete in the Summer Olympic Games. An excellent inspirations list has been compiled on the NXTLog page if you are stuck for ideas. The usual competition rules apply, and the projects that wish to be entered into the competition have to be tagged with "NXT200808". All entries have to be submitted before Sunday 31st August, 2008.

More information on this new challenge can be found at the NXTLog page here

NXT NXT Competition - Results

The results of the NXT NXT competition are in... and the NXT Whac-A-Mole recieved the creative use of NXTlog award! Here are the judge's comments:

"One of the most creative projects submitted to this challenge, a NXT Whac-A-Mole! The idea of this model is to push, or hit as many moles that pop in and out of the "Mole Whacking Platform" as quickly as possible. When a mole is hit, a score indicator mole that is attached to the score tower will be raised. The NXT Whac-A-Mole is controlled and powered by two NXT bricks, one controlling the mole's touch sensors and motors, and the other controlling the score tower and indicator, light sensors, and any other sensors and motors that cannot be plugged into the first NXT brick. LinearActuator provides excellent pictures, a detailed NXTLOG and screen shots of the master and slave prgrams. We would love LinearActuator to share an LDD file and a video of the robot in action. (This is LinearActuator's 2nd project on NXTLOG.)"

I am pleased that the NXT Whac-A-Mole has won an award title, but I am going to try and aim higher during the next competition and try to achieve the Champion award!

More info on the results of the NXT NXT Competition can be found here

More Information on the NXT Whac-A-Mole can be found here

New LEGO Account system

Hey all,

Recently LEGO updated their User Account System, and if you already have a LEGO account you need to activate it. Once this message appears after you have logged in, you will have TWO weeks to activate your account or it will be deleted.

Also, have a look at the LEGO Universe MMOG webpage and check out the "Creations Lab" and Competitions section if you are looking for some more LEGO competitions to enter.