Xander Soldaat Bot Bench com LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

Xander Soldaat Bot. Bench. com LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

Topics � What is Mindstorms? � How can you build with it? � What can you build with it? � Programming the NXT � What’s inside the brick? � Sensing the world

Topics � My activities � Why do I do it? � Books � Communities � Questions

What is Mindstorms?

How can you build with it? • • NXT brick Motors Sensors Lego (Technic) parts • Parts in other Technic sets • Parts available online through webshops

What can you build with it?

What can you build with it?

What can you build with it? LE G O W O R LD 2 0 0 9

What can you build with it? LE G O W O R LD 2 0 1 0

What can you build with it? LE G O W O R LD 2 0 1 1

Programming the NXT � NXT-G �Graphical programming using blocks and lines �Comes with the set when you buy it �Easy to get started with it �Very suitable for children

Programming the NXT � ROBOTC � C-like environment � 100 x faster than NXT-G � Debugger � More difficult to learn � Not free

Programming the NXT � NXC/Brix. CC �C-like programming language/IDE �Can use standard LEGO firmware or enhanced firmware �Free (MPL) � Lejos � Java on your brick! � Very complete API, really great classes � Free (MPL)

What’s inside the brick? Bluetooth module 2. AT 91 SAM 7 s 256 @ 48 MHz 3. Atmega 8 @ 8 MHz 1. 3 x Motor ports • 4 x Sensor ports • 1 x USB •

Sensing the world

Sensing the world � Sense: �colour, light, sound, pressure �flex, touch, shapes, distance �rotation, acceleration, temperature �position, altitude, velocity � Control: �servos, motors, lights, relays � Communicate: �USB, XBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RS 485, IR

Sensing the world � LEGO: <10 sensors � Mindsensors: > 20 sensors � Hi. Technic: >15 sensors � Dexter Industries: 8 sensors � Micro. Infinity, Codatex, Vernier, POB

My activities � Software tester for Robotics Academy (Carnegie Mellon University) � Part of the LEGO MCP 4 � Hardware tester for all major sensor companies. � Develop and maintain a ROBOTC driver suite, 50+ devices supported, 4500+ downloads

My activities � Co-owner Mindboards community � Maintainer of Bot. Bench. com (300 -500 visitors/day) � Contributor on official ROBOTC site � Give workshops and presentations (like this one) � Attend big LEGO events (LEGO World)

Why do I do it? � It’s nice to help people � Keeps you mentally fit � Recognition within the Mindstorms community � “Thank you” emails from FTC teams, professors, teachers and users. � Most of all, because it’s FUN!

Books � Countless books available �For beginners �For advanced programmers � Many different core subjects �Building �Programming �Electronics; “hacking” �Themed books

Some examples Just a few of the 65 results in Amazon. com

Communities � Massive online LEGO communities �Lego User Groups (LUGs) �(Belug, Low. Lug) � Mindstorms communities and blogs �NXT Step �Mindboards �Bot. Bench. com �Many other personal websites

Additional URLs � Hi. Technic: hitechnic. com � Mindsensors: mindsensors. com � Dexter Industries: dexterindustries. com � ROBOTC: robotc. net � NXC: bricxcc. sourceforge. net � Lejos: lejos. sourceforge. net

Additional URLs � Laurens Valk’s websites: laurensvalk. com (personal) discovery. laurensvalk. com (book site) � Mindboards: sourceforge. net/apps/phpbb/mindboards � The NXT Step: thenxtstep. blogspot. com � Mindstorms site: mindstorms. lego. com � De Bouwsteen: debouwsteen. eu � Low. Lug: lowlug. nl

Questions? http: //www. mocpages. com/moc. php/251311

Xander Soldaat Bot. Bench. com