Lego Mindstorms Robotics

Lego Mindstorms

Generations of kids have grown up playing with Lego. Chances are you had a huge box full of Lego in your own house when you were growing up. Lego is one of those classic toys with timeless appeal. It will surely be around for generations to come.

But now there is a new Lego set - the Lego Mindstorms. Its Lego Jim but not as we know it.

So What Are Lego Mindstorms?

Basically Lego Mindstorms are a range of robotics/construction toys. They allow you to build models which you can then program and automate to do certain things. It is certainly not just your basic construction toy. Of course the Lego Mindstorm is a toy but it is also challenging and educational and stimulates the imagination. It has an amazing array of very high tech features.

The recommended age is ten to eighteen owing to the technical difficulty and the small parts involved. However this is a toy which has a strong appeal to adults as well as children.

Lego Mindstorms are a great way to get into robotics. Everything you need is included and you do not need additional tools as everything is constructed from the Lego pieces. These Lego pieces are not like the traditional chunky plastic bricks, they are what are called studless Legos which give the models a stylish finish.

The programming is done through a central computer known as the "intelligent brick". The programming itself is kept simple using drag and drop software.

Lego Mindstorms has a whole host of fantastic high tech features which allow to program your constructions to carry out all sorts of commands. Here are some of the technical details:

• controlled by a 32-bit unit with a large LCD screen. Has USB and blue tooth interface. This means your robot can walk, talk and interact with its environment!
• 6 wore digital cables for improved connections
• uses the Lego technics system
• PC and Mac friendly drag and drop programming
• three servo motors giving precise movements

There are also four sensors -

• light sensor which detects both color and light. For example the robot can be programmed to look for a certain color and ignore others.
• push sensor - this detects when the model bumps up against another object
• ultrasonic sensor - detects distance and movement
• sound sensor - detects both tone and volume of sounds

There are no less than 577 parts contained in the kit - but don't panic - there is also a quick start guide to get you up and running in no time. You don't need to use all fo the parts at once!