Spotlight: LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 programmable robotic toy

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: The inside box cover

Inside the box cover, the processor module, motors, and sensors are described, as well as the basic three steps to construction: Build, Program, and Go.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Another view of the box

The facing surface of the last screen on the box outlines more features of the software, including its intuitive drag-and-drop programming language based on LabVIEW. You also see a picture of all of the included 619 parts and pieces.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: The back of the box

The back of the box provides more details about the four models and features of the software, and references the vast collection of user-created and LEGO-created models available on the Mindstorms website.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Box's contents

This is a photo of the box's contents. In addition to the bags of LEGO pieces and the other assorted parts, there are also two boxes.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Inside the box

The larger box contains all of the sensors and motors and the cabling required to connect them to the microprocessor brick. These have been specially packed in a cardboard cut-out, which likely helped protect them during shipping and handling.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Microprocessor

The smaller box contains the microprocessor brick, which is the brains of the Mindstorms kit.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software

After installing and running the software, this screen is displayed. The large pane in the center contains a guides to help you get started with the software. This will become the design area after creating a new program or opening an existing one. On the left are the controls grouped by function. The controls can be dragged into the design area. On the right are the existing four projects grouped by category, which can be expanded by the downloadable ones. This area contains the build and the programming instructions. The larger left pane at the bottom is where the programming tiles are configured, and the smaller right pane shows some rollover help. There is also a Remote Control feature accessible from the menus at the top that allows control of a simple model, such as the Driving Base, via the arrow keys and space bar.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Blank work area

This is a new, blank work area. Programming tiles can be dragged and dropped, beginning with the area labeled Start.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot

The first project, the Shooterbot, is under the Vehicles heading.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot, step one

Projects are broken out into smaller build steps. The Shooterbot begins with the Driving Base (which is also the quick start project), adds color detection, adds the clip and ball shooter, and adds the ability to detect an object before shooting at it.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Expand option

Accessing the build instructions within any project phase will give the option of expanding the build steps to fill the entire screen. Since some of the LEGO pieces are small, this is essential in determining which pieces are needed and where they are placed.

Screenshot of LEGO Minstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Load programs from memory

After building each project phase, it's time to program the model. Step-by-step programming instructions are included. It is possible to bypass the programming instructions and have the software load the programs for the included models from memory; there is a button in the top left on the first programming instruction pane to perform this action.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: How to configure tiles

In addition to telling you where to place the programming tile, the software also tells you how to configure each tile to perform as LEGO intended.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot, phase one

The first model to build is the quick start Driving Base. This model takes less than 30 minutes to build, and it can be used for a variety of vehicle-based projects available on the Mindstorms website as well as your own creations.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot, phase two

The next phase in the Shooterbot project is to teach Mindstorms to detect a specific color -- in this case red -- on the ground, turn around, and head back the other way. Adding the color sensor on the front is a simple enough process. Following the programming steps was equally simple and yields a fairly accurate color detector bot.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot, phase three

The third phase has the user move the color sensor up to the top of the Driving Base and convert its use to a lamp.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot

The third phase continues with the addition of the clip and shooting mechanism.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Shooterbot, program phase three

Finally, we program phase three. Each item below corresponds to a programming tile.

1. We add an infinite loop -- this will not stop until the dark gray button is pressed on the programming brick.
2. We tell Mindstorms to turn the green light on.
3. We tell motors C and B to spin forward a certain amount of time (in degrees, rotations, or seconds).
4. We change the light to red.
5. Wait a half second.
6. Spin the A motor, which is the firing mechanism.
7. Turn the light to blue.
8. Spin motors C and B backward this time.
9. Spin motors C and B in such a way that makes the model turn right.


Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Final step for Shooterbot

The last addition to the Shooterbot requires the addition of the Ultrasonic sensor, which is attached next to the ball clip. This slide shows the programming required to make the Shooterbot detect a nearby object, change the lamp to blue, warn that it will fire, change the lamp to red, and then fire two balls in quick succession.

Watch a short video of the Shooterbot in action.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Robogator

Robogator is the next project included on the CD-ROM. This is a picture of the Robogator at the end of the first phase of construction. This bot is able to detect a nearby object and then start snapping its jaws.

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LEGO Mindstorms: Robogator, phase two

The next phase is the powered back legs. Although the legs have not been attached to the body of the Robogator yet, this is a great up-close shot of the leg construction.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Attach Robogator's legs

The last step in that phase is attaching the legs to the body as shown.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Robogator with tail, touch sensors

The final Robogator with a tail and touch sensors to detect where the legs are rotationally.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Programming the Robogator

This slide contains most of the programming for the Robogator. Here you can see two independent programming paths: one for the legs and one for the jaws. The legs are programmed to start in their "normal position" by rotating until they find it, if necessary. Then, the Robogator waits until an object is within a certain distance from its "eyes." Once it "sees" an object, it lunges a couple of times and then "runs," alternating each leg. The jaws are also programmed to detect a nearby object and then begin snapping, which will continue until the object moves away.

Watch a short video of the Robogator in action.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Color Sorter, phase one

The first construction phase of the next model, the Color Sorter, dumps one ball at a time out of the holding area; this is accomplished by a gear and piston shaft visible near the center of the photo. The piston rises, pushing the holding area up at an angle and allowing a ball to roll onto the output chute.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Color Sorter, phase two

The next phase adds the Color sensor, which enables the Sorter to announce which color ball it will drop.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Color Sorter

This is one of the two final phases of the Color Sorter. In this model, the ball color is announced as it passes under the Color sensor. The Sorter knows which bin to put each color in and rotates the bins accordingly using the motor nearest the camera, which is attached to a drive shaft that passes underneath the machine and up into the bins.

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LEGO Mindstorms: Color Sorter code

This is a large segment of the Color Sorter version 1 code. In this code, motor C (the one powering the holding area) is turned to make a ball fall under the Color sensor. Depending on the color, the bins are rotated (motor B) until the appropriate bin is underneath the output chute, at which time the ball is dropped. This is repeated indefinitely until the user presses the gray button.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Second Color Sorter

The second of the two Color Sorter models, this one is more of a "Color Catapult." Instead of placing the balls into bins, this model launches them in different directions, depending on the color of the ball.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Second Color Sorter code

This code is slightly different than the first version. In this code, the color is not announced until the ball is in the catapult, at which time it is rotated to a certain angle and fired.

Watch a short video of the Color Sorter in action.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Alpha Rex, phase one

Alpha Rex is the fourth model included on the CD-ROM. In this initial phase, the robot is already able to walk using specially constructed legs and feet that change their angle against the floor at the same time they move forward and backward, which create footsteps.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Alpha Rex, phase two

Phase two of Alpha Rex adds arms, complete with grabber hands and shoulder pads. The tendon-like pieces running from the neck to the shoulders, as well as from the shoulders to the forearms, enable the hands to automatically open and close. A motor strapped to the robot's back powers the side-to-side movement with a rotating arm that can be seen next to the robot's left shoulder.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Alpha Rex's head

Next comes the Alpha Rex's head. With the built-in "eyes," this makes Alpha Rex look almost human. The Ultrasonic sensor allows Rex to react to objects in front of it.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Alpha Rex, final phase

Finally, we add the Color sensor on its right hand, which enables it to detect which color ball is placed in his hand when he asks for it.

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LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Alpha Rex code

This is a very small segment of code that sets up Alpha Rex's movement and reactions. In this segment, you can see the two sound tiles separated by a 0.5 second wait tile. This is where it says "Green Please" and then waits for a ball to be placed in its hands. Depending on the color, Alpha Rex will either drop the ball where he stands (red, yellow, or blue) or walk forward several steps before dropping the ball (green). Watch a short video of the Alpha Rex in action.

Read my Geek Gifts 2010 review of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0.

Screenshot of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software by Wally Bahny for TechRepublic