The
Lego Mindstorms NXT is a programmable robotics kit released by Lego
in 2006. The main component in the kit is a brick-shaped computer
called the NXT brick. It can take input from up to four sensors and
control up to three motors. The brick has a 100x64 pixel LCD display
and four buttons that can be used to navigate a user interface using
menus. It also has a speaker and can play sound files at sampling
rates up to 8 kHz.
Power for the unit is supplied by 6 AA (1.5 V
each) batteries in the consumer version of the kit and
by Li-Ion rechargeable batteries in the educational
version. The
later also comes with a recharger so you never need to
purchase batteries again.
Very simple
programs can be written using the menu on the NXT. More
complicated programs and sound files can be downloaded using
a USB port or wirelessly using Bluetooth. Files can also be
copied between two NXT bricks wirelessly, and some mobile
phones can be used as a remote control. Up to four NXT
bricks can communicate simultaneously via Bluetooth when
user created programs are run.
NXT-G v1.0 is the programming software that comes
bundled with the NXT. There are 2 different
programming interfaces. One is included with the
retail and educational kits and the other can be
purchased separately. The software is adequate for
basic programming, such as driving motors,
incorporating sensor inputs, doing calculations, and
learning simplified programming structures and flow
control.
The retail
version of the kit includes software for writing programs
that run on PC and Mac computers. The software is based on
National Instruments LabVIEW and provides a visual
programming language for writing simple programs and
downloading them to the NXT Brick.
CSR Blue Core 4 Bluetooth
controller @ 26 MHz (8 MBit external flash memory, 47 KB
RAM)
100×64 pixel LCD matrix
display
Can be programmed using
Windows or Mac OS.
Users create a program
with new software, powered by LabVIEW from National
Instruments.
A single USB 1.1 port full
speed (12 Mbit/s).
Bluetooth (Class II)
wireless connectivity, to transfer programs to the NXT
wirelessly or offer ways to control robots remotely
(through mobile phones and possibly by PDA's).
4 input ports, 6-wire
cable digital platform (One port includes a IEC 61158
Field bus Type 4/EN 50 170 (P-NET) compliant expansion
port for future use).
3 output ports, 6-wire
cable digital platform.
Digital Wire Interface
allows for development of external
devices.
Mindstorms
is made by the Lego Company.
Here is a YouTube video of the
Mindstorms NXT in action
Our Robots
on display at the
South Florida Science Museum
We
exhibit these & other robots Free of Charge at
schools, science museum's, robotic competitions and
science expo's with
the hope that they inspire everyone... young & old.
Robots
w/June
