Intro To Java Programming using Lego Mindstorms Prof

What did he say? ? (Common Terms) • NXT – Biggest Lego “Brick” •

Classroom Setup • This is included into a Freshman/Sophomore JAVA programming class (CMSC 201)

Classroom Setup (cont. ) • 2 day a week class – Active Learning/Lecture (Tuesday)

Eclipse • IDE • Free – Students are spared an extra expense • All

LEJOS • Java Programming for LEGO NXT (or RCX) • Free again!!!! • Found

LEJOS (cont. ) • Has: – Installation tutorial (slightly wrong) – Programming Tutorial •

NXT Compiler • The preloaded NXT software (literally inside the NXT) is over-written with

Labs - Introduction • Introduce to Lego Kit as a whole • Have them

Lab - Variables • Introduce Motor Function and Touch Sensor • Measure the size

Concerns and Complications • Installation – What a pain, BUT…. – Poor (ok not

Ok, what about costs? • Lego Educational kit – $300 – One set is

Common Questions • Do you let take the kits home? – No, the kits

Slides: 14

Download presentation

Intro. To Java Programming using Lego Mindstorms Prof. Shawn Lupoli Comm. College of Baltimore County

What did he say? ? (Common Terms) • NXT – Biggest Lego “Brick” • Contains the brain of the robot • Connects to: – Sensors – Motors • IDE/Eclipse – Integrated Development Environment – Application used to write and compile your program

Classroom Setup • This is included into a Freshman/Sophomore JAVA programming class (CMSC 201) • Computer for every college student • IDE -> Eclipse (eclipse. org) • LEGOS – Plug-In – API (reference) • NXT Java Compiler • Labs (11 -13 labs based on topic of week) – Tutorial – Normal Java Programming

Classroom Setup (cont. ) • 2 day a week class – Active Learning/Lecture (Tuesday) – Lab (Thursday) • Lab – Group Lego Lab – Individual Regular Programming Lab (Homework) • I strive for a “doing” learning centered approach

Eclipse • IDE • Free – Students are spared an extra expense • All platforms supported (Windows, MAC, etc. . ) • Very easy for IT to install since it does not need drivers or other software • Looks like Visual Studio • Must do some tinkering to get it to work

LEJOS • Java Programming for LEGO NXT (or RCX) • Free again!!!! • Found in Source. Forge (. net) – Open Source software repository

LEJOS (cont. ) • Has: – Installation tutorial (slightly wrong) – Programming Tutorial • http: //lejos. sourceforge. net/nxj/tutorial/index. htm http: //lejos. sourceforge. net/tutorial/index. html – API as a guide to allow easy programming • http: //lejos. sourceforge. net/nxj/api/index. html – Forums (good for help!!)

NXT Compiler • The preloaded NXT software (literally inside the NXT) is over-written with the new compiler. • Remember the size of the program that the NXT is very limited

Labs - Introduction • Introduce to Lego Kit as a whole • Have them build a vehicle that we use for several weeks • In class we mock a software setup • Download new software on NXT

Lab - Variables • Introduce Motor Function and Touch Sensor • Measure the size of a room

Sample Program #1

Concerns and Complications • Installation – What a pain, BUT…. – Poor (ok not too bad) documentation • USB Dongles – Built in – Thumb Attachments • 32 bit to 64 bit conversion • APIs wrong sometimes

Ok, what about costs? • Lego Educational kit – $300 – One set is good for 3 students • Eclipse FREE

Common Questions • Do you let take the kits home? – No, the kits are accessible at school at anytime. They also have a non-classroom lab that contains the software needed.