Product Description
Bow to the next generation of LEGO Mindstorms now, with a 32-bit processor, redesigned sensors, Bluetooth and more.
Features:
- LEGOs newest robot-building kit, with greatly improved functionality
- 32-bit command center with large LCD, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth interfaces that allow robots to walk, talk and interact with their environment
- Technic blocks ("studless legos") create a more human, less boxy look
- Intuitive GUI and drag-and-drop icons are PC- and Mac-friendly
- Redesigned touch and light sensors, new sound sensor and ultrasonic sensor
- Now with three motors redesigned for smoother, more reliable operation
- 6-wire digital cables for more precise connections
- 5 main themes (8 different models) Vehicle: Roverbot, Animal, Scorpio Machine: Robotic Arm Human: Humanoid Gadgets: Clock, Music, Game and Movers
- Models are all built within the LEGO Technic System
- 577 pieces
- Quickstart Guide helps you build a robot ready for action within 30 minutes
- Model-specific building instructions, tips and tricks, testing methods and programming options
- Easy-to-use software
- Test panel
Safety warning: This product contains small parts that may present a choking hazard for young children.
Amazon.com
Sure, Mindstorms NXT is a toy, but it is an important toy, like a piano or a chemistry set. Its one of those items that engages an imagination and possibly opens doors to new interests. Since our future is surely to be shared with robots--its already started happening, just look at Roomba--those robots will need, at least initially, humans to program and maintain them. Those people, years from now, will likely remember their experiences with Lego Mindstorms.
Out of the Box
The main part of the kit is the NXT itself. Its about the size of an iPod (though a bit thicker) with a a loudspeaker, a monochrome LCD, and navigation keys on the front. This is the controller for the robot--its brain, if you will. It has three ports on top for connecting to the servo motors and four ports on the bottom for connecting to four different sensors: Touch, Light, Sound, and Ultrasonic (see detail below).
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The set includes Ethernet-like wires for connecting all of these to the NXT, as well as software and a basic USB cable for downloading programs from your computer. Then there are all the Lego parts, hundreds of them, and most are very small. It would be a good idea to get a plastic organizer for the different parts--it would not only make construction and storage easier but also part loss less likely.
Hitting the Bricks
The instructions for MNXT are simple, illustrated, and they gently take the new user on an introductory path through the system. The quick start guide promises a 30-minute robot building and programing intro, though for me it was closer to 50 (Im a little old and slow). It starts with a simple diagnostic routine which shows you how to test the function of all sensors, then proceeds to step-by-step picture instructions for building a basic first robot. Its about as complex as building a piece of Ikea furniture.
Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects. |
Next, I installed the software. Be sure to check the system requirements (below). The software is well-designed and very intuitive. It comes with built-in video instructions on how to create your first simple program and download it to your NXT.
Bringing It To Life
Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects. Each object is configurable. For example, the Sound object brings up a sub-window that allows you to choose between a tone and a list of sound files, set the volume, set duration, and so on. Little Lego bricks between the objects reinforce the idea that building a NXT program is like building a Lego model. Programming this way is much easier than, say, creating a web page from scratch. Lego even offers a software development kit for getting deeper into the programming.
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| Mindstorms NXT "challenges" from top: Tribot, RoboArm, and Spike. |
There comes a genuine thrill from seeing something youve created--even something simple and silly as my first program--come to life in a robot. Its akin to seeing yourself on TV for the first time. I played that program a dozen times.
The software contains "challenges," which are similar step-by-step instructions for creating and programming more complex models, such as a robotic arm that can "perform simple tasks and react to different colors." Each challenge is divided into smaller tasks with step-by-step building, programming, and testing guides for each task.
Accessing your latest program once its downloaded to the NXT is pretty easy. Lego has set it up so that you can execute it by pressing the big orange center button four times in a row after start-up. I was surprised to find out that you dont need a computer to program the NXT. You can program directly into the NXT Program submenu.
Bluetooth Ready
The NXT also has built-in Bluetooth wireless technology. If your computer has Bluetooth, you can test and download programs to the NXT without connecting the USB cable--a really handy feature if youre programming a complicated dance routine and you dont want your robot getting tripped up in cables. If your phone or PDA has Bluetooth, you might be able to use your device to control the robot. Best of all, Bluetooth allows you to create a network of up to three NXT devices. Think of the possibilities: three NXTs plus three sets of blocks and sensors equals bigger, more complex robots.
My one and only complaint is that I wish the sensors had more "studs," those little round parts that allows Lego bricks to interlock. --Porter B. Hall
Rate Points :4.5
Binding :Toy
Brand :LEGO
Label :LEGO
Manufacturer :LEGO
Model :4494799
MPN :8527
ProductGroup :Toy
Studio :LEGO
Publisher :LEGO
UPC :673419090131
EAN :0673419090131
Price :$249.99USD
Lowest Price :$223.50USD
Features
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
This one has engaged my 8-year son immediately for 1 whole week and he is able to follow all the instruction step by step by himself to build different robots, also he is creating his own ! This is a great interest building tool in robot/computer/engineer world for kids.
THIS IS COOL!!!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :2
Mindstorm can do almost anything! I got it for Christmas.
I was so excited. I am only 8 but I love bulding. THIS PRODUCT IS GREAT!
BUY THIS NOW!
Lego Robotic Tournaments for kids
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
I am buying an NXT for my 11 year old son who has been begging for one for awhile. He is a member of the Robotics team at his elementary school (his 3rd year) and so he interacts with these every day, but wants one of his own to play around with at home.
For those of you whose children are or may be interested in science/engineering/robotics, etc. or are just looking for something creative to do, there is a worldwide program out there that they can join to help develop these skills and have fun at the same time! Lego created this program about 15 years ago and it is now worldwide. Go to ... to learn all about it. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Program is absolutely wonderful. They start out at age 6, with the Junior FIRST Lego League (JFLL) 9-14 yr olds. or about 3-8th graders compete in the FIRST Lego League (FLL), using the NXT or RCX (older model) robots and when they hit high school, they begin building real, actual working robots to compete with.
If your school does not have a team, look into starting one (anyone can: schools, churches, boy/girl scout troops, community organizations, whatever). The fees are not much after the initial kit cost (around $600, which includes the robot and all tournament supplies) and often you can find sponsors to cover some, if not all, of the fees. The kids do not just play with robots, they also work very hard on a research project which they present to a panel of judges at each tournament (there is usually a tourney for city, region, state, national, and then international if your team qualifies for each next tournament), and there are awards for many things: robot competitions, teamwork, research, robot design, team spirit, overall score, etc. If you are looking for a great extracurricular for your gifted or creative child, this is it!
Great Physics and Computer Science Tool for Children
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
This is a great way to teach children physics, robotics, and computer science. Even if children dont want to make a robot, they can be very creative with the components just as with many lego products.
The best LEGO kit ever!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
There is no doubt about it, this will be well worth your money. I have used mines mostly for remote control, sadly, creating complex programs is not as easy as said but for your basic programs you can learn to make them instantly (almost). Right now I am thinking of making a robot to go to the kitchen and get me a cookie! (hehehe) With a little time and a lot of fun you can make simple yet amazingly, amazing? robots that are easily adapted for mixing your chocolate milk, spying on someone, or even stealing cookies. If you are like me, you will be thinking of what you are going to build nxt, all the time! I had been thinking of getting this long before I got it. When I got it I quickly built the robots shown on the pictures, but I found these to be a little fragile and not quite what I expected. But over all I found this to be a very good product both in how it acts and functions. If you are thinking of buying this, good, get it! You probably will spend more money to get extra sensors and stuff but you will have fun, I will Guarantee that! Now if youll excuse me I think Ill go make a cookie stealing bot!
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