News Box
WELCOME TO MLNO!!! ... ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE! ... WHILE YOU ARE HERE, CHECK OUT OUR RPGS!
My LEGO Nexus Organization
October 10, 2024, 12:06:48 pm
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: Guests: Please register and look around! Tell your friends. Registration is instant, but you'll have to wait for an active admin to get online to approve your account, which should take less than 24 hours.  If you do not receive your approval email, just try to login. We are having issues with the automated email system.
 
  Home   Forum   Help Arcade Gallery Rules The MOC Corner Staff List Login Register Chat  

The Evolution of Mindstorms

Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: The Evolution of Mindstorms  (Read 536 times)
MsRowdyRedhead
Sage Mentor......... (renowned for profound wisdom)
A - MLNO Featured Admin of '08
Exciting Poster
*

MLNO Reputation 100
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Awards:
Team: No Team
Purpose: Harmony
Posts: 15328


The forum can't be the same without our friends.


WWW
Badges: (View All)
« on: June 28, 2011, 11:31:50 pm »

LEGO made a splash back in 1998 when it released the first version of its LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Inventions System (RIS). RCX brought a whole new dimension of building to fans.

Despite being released in 1998, the original Mindstorms RIS set was fairly adaptable and allowed users to replicate a range of real-world mechanics. The Mindstorms NXT continues the achievements of its forerunner, but it brings with it a host of add-ons that allow it to do even more cool things. New in the set is a sound sensor, a color-differentiating light sensor, and a redesigned NXT "Intelligent Brick", which serves as the "brains" of the entire system.
The NXT "Intelligent Brick" has several improvements over the older version, the RCX, the most notable of which is built-in Bluetooth technology. Wireless control was possible with the RCX, but it was limited to infrared.
The NXT's move from infrared to Bluetooth meat that not only does the connection not have to depend on line of sight to work, but it can function anywhere within Bluetooth's tested 30-foot range. Programming for the Brick is also speedier thanks to a quick-start program that can get  commands up and running in as little as 30 minutes, a marked improvement over the nearly two-hour wait for the RIS.
ile the soul of the Mindstorm system truly is the aptly-titled Intelligent Brick, what gives form to the system's functions is its gang of sensors. The NXT set comes with four: a touch sensor, a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a light sensor. The touch sensor mechanism is essentially made up of a basic sensor pad that detects pressure. The sound sensor takes audio pressure readings and can also hear voice commands.

In regard to vision, both the unit's light and ultrasonic sensors give robots the ability to "see" based on the different types of visual readings they get. The light sensor is capable of telling the difference between colors via a grayscale gradient comparison, which means that if the program you're working on requires the system to react to an object of a certain color, this sensor will allow you to do that. The ultrasonic sensor, on the other end of the field, reads distance. After calculating the time it takes for a sound wave to return to its point of origin (similar to how bats can move around in the dark), the robot will be able to deal with obstacles or pick up objects.

Now there is NXT2.0.. which I have not seen in person or used, but I know others here have.
Think Geek has a good article about it herehttp://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/7-13-years/c192/

Who knows what will be next.

Which versions have you had?? How do you think the versions compare?

Discuss the evolution of Mindstorms here!
« Last Edit: June 29, 2011, 12:09:45 am by MsRowdyRedhead » Report Spam   Logged



The dream is free.. the work to achieve it is sold separately.
OOC: An OOC expression of horror would confirm your humanity nicely. Wink
MLNO.  The only forum I know where expressions like the one above are commonplace. Tongue
Everyone is frustrating in their own special way.
Quote
"Right is right, even if everyone is against it. Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." ♥
"If you're not havin a good day, change your mind!!"
CheshireCat150
Craftsman
*

MLNO Reputation 10
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Team: No Team
Purpose: To inspire others to be the best that they can
Posts: 1172


Set your own goals; reach for the stars.



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2011, 11:40:02 pm »

Many people think that they're planning on coming out with a NXT 3.0 (which would be awesome), and it is obvious that they're doing some sort of research for the NXT (as this post shows). They're gather kids for some sort of testing... *seriously wishing I lived in North Carolina*.  Cheesy
Report Spam   Logged

"Choosing to be committed to one thing means being less committed to another. Choose wisely."-One of my heroes...
CheesyMy NXT projectsCheesy
Join FLL (ages 9-14) -- Join FTC (ages 14-18) -- Join FRC (ages 14-18)
To the world you maybe be one person, but to one person you may be the world
MsRowdyRedhead
Sage Mentor......... (renowned for profound wisdom)
A - MLNO Featured Admin of '08
Exciting Poster
*

MLNO Reputation 100
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Awards:
Team: No Team
Purpose: Harmony
Posts: 15328


The forum can't be the same without our friends.


WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2011, 12:09:08 am »

Which versions have you had?? How do you think the versions compare?
Report Spam   Logged



The dream is free.. the work to achieve it is sold separately.
OOC: An OOC expression of horror would confirm your humanity nicely. Wink
MLNO.  The only forum I know where expressions like the one above are commonplace. Tongue
Everyone is frustrating in their own special way.
Quote
"Right is right, even if everyone is against it. Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." ♥
"If you're not havin a good day, change your mind!!"
Blade
Lightning Girl
A - Azure Striker
Crimson Apple Masterpiece Built!
*

MLNO Reputation 100
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Awards:
Team: Network Strikers
Purpose: To stay DETERMINED
Posts: 36578


Bird... GO!



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2011, 08:33:31 am »

Ah, good ol' RIS. Good memories from that, involving the web. =P

I haven't had much time to test out stuff involving Mindstorms creations; but from what I have seen(Mind you it wasn't the NXT, might've been the RCX or RIS... But I doubt it was the latter); it is extremely cool.

I like how you can actually program it to do stuff; if I had any Mindstorms stuff, I'd likely be using that half the time. =P
Report Spam   Logged

I'm a girl - I'm a lesbian.

-==Blade's Story Library==-
-==Blade's RPG Library==-
A fresh start for the signature, aside for the libraries.

Blade is laughing ominously RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!
66226
The forum is a girl? 0_o
I imagine new people coming to the forum expecting to see discussion about LEGO, only to see RPGs full of deranged characters and insane people talking about cheese and brains.
I'm beet. I don't think I'll do homework tonight.
So, you're a vegetable? Tongue
CheshireCat150
Craftsman
*

MLNO Reputation 10
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Team: No Team
Purpose: To inspire others to be the best that they can
Posts: 1172


Set your own goals; reach for the stars.



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2011, 01:16:27 pm »

Yes, Blade, I think a lot of people would make good use of Mindstorms. It's a bummer they're so expensive. However, you can get your hands on one if you join/mentor/host an FLL team. Sure, you wouldn't get to keep the set, but you'd get to check it out. ;-) Have you heard of FLL?

I bought the Mindstorms Education set, which I'm still not sure how it is different for NXT 2.0. I know Education is missing the color sensor, but comes with a rechargeable battery. NXT 2.0 has treads and that awesome ball shooter thing, while Education doesn't. I don't have the NXT 2.0 part list, so I can't compare.
 I also bought a NXT 1 from a neighbor when they were moving. Their kid wasn't interested anymore. It is missing two sensors but has nearly all the other parts, with a couple dozen other parts thrown in. It was worth it for the price I paid. The NXT 1 is awesome because it contains eleven of the 15 long Technic Beams. I'm still not sure what the Mindstorms team was thinking only including 4 of them in the Education set (and only 2 in NXT 2.0?). If I were to have a choice to buy either an NXT 1 or Mindstorms Education, I would buy NXT 1, assuming they are the same price. Actually, I think I would pay extra for NXT 1, but I don't think it is sold anymore (besides on ebay). I have found that the rechargeable battery was worth it, so I would perhaps have to buy that is I bought NXT 1. Owning NXT Education and part of NXT 1, all I am disappointed about is that I don't have the color sensor or treads.
Report Spam   Logged

"Choosing to be committed to one thing means being less committed to another. Choose wisely."-One of my heroes...
CheesyMy NXT projectsCheesy
Join FLL (ages 9-14) -- Join FTC (ages 14-18) -- Join FRC (ages 14-18)
To the world you maybe be one person, but to one person you may be the world
Blade
Lightning Girl
A - Azure Striker
Crimson Apple Masterpiece Built!
*

MLNO Reputation 100
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Awards:
Team: Network Strikers
Purpose: To stay DETERMINED
Posts: 36578


Bird... GO!



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2011, 02:05:39 pm »

I've heard of it, but a) I'm not sure if they have any in Canada, and b) I'm not sure if I could do it, since I'm nearly 19. =P(... That... Feels weird to say. It's true, but it just goes to show how quickly time is passing. xP)

I have checked out one form of it, I'm just not sure which. =P I know it's not NXT, although the place had NXT, we didn't get to use it. =P

I do get why it's so expensive; though; likely the main brick is the main cause there. =P
Report Spam   Logged

I'm a girl - I'm a lesbian.

-==Blade's Story Library==-
-==Blade's RPG Library==-
A fresh start for the signature, aside for the libraries.

Blade is laughing ominously RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!
66226
The forum is a girl? 0_o
I imagine new people coming to the forum expecting to see discussion about LEGO, only to see RPGs full of deranged characters and insane people talking about cheese and brains.
I'm beet. I don't think I'll do homework tonight.
So, you're a vegetable? Tongue
Jayko
Initiate
*

MLNO Reputation 12
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
Purpose: To post informative and helpful posts!
Posts: 209


Kaboom!



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2011, 03:06:31 pm »

I've heard of it, but a) I'm not sure if they have any in Canada, and b) I'm not sure if I could do it, since I'm nearly 19. =P(... That... Feels weird to say. It's true, but it just goes to show how quickly time is passing. xP)

I have checked out one form of it, I'm just not sure which. =P I know it's not NXT, although the place had NXT, we didn't get to use it. =P

I do get why it's so expensive; though; likely the main brick is the main cause there. =P

There is FLL in Canada, a Canadian team actually won 1st place at the world championships! (I was there). But unfortunately, the age limit in the US and Canada is up to 14 . . . And I aged out this year Sad .

The reason its so expensive is because its from LEGO. I cant think of any other reason. I can get an iPod Touch, which has 10 times the processing power, 100 times better display, and other stuff, for the same price.
Report Spam   Logged

Blade
Lightning Girl
A - Azure Striker
Crimson Apple Masterpiece Built!
*

MLNO Reputation 100
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Awards:
Team: Network Strikers
Purpose: To stay DETERMINED
Posts: 36578


Bird... GO!



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2011, 03:14:31 pm »

1. That's pretty cool then. =)

And yeah, I figured that. =/ Though, that means I've been out of the running for nearly five years now. =P

2. Well, there's that too, but you also have to consider it also comes with multiple bricks, and every Lego set is more expensive nowadays.
Report Spam   Logged

I'm a girl - I'm a lesbian.

-==Blade's Story Library==-
-==Blade's RPG Library==-
A fresh start for the signature, aside for the libraries.

Blade is laughing ominously RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!
66226
The forum is a girl? 0_o
I imagine new people coming to the forum expecting to see discussion about LEGO, only to see RPGs full of deranged characters and insane people talking about cheese and brains.
I'm beet. I don't think I'll do homework tonight.
So, you're a vegetable? Tongue
CheshireCat150
Craftsman
*

MLNO Reputation 10
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Team: No Team
Purpose: To inspire others to be the best that they can
Posts: 1172


Set your own goals; reach for the stars.



Badges: (View All)
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2011, 01:03:28 pm »

Yep. I think it's because of the sensors and Intelligent brick. They sell the sensors for at least $20 each. Also, the bricks add up. If you go to LEGO's "Pick a Brick" website, almost all the bricks are at least 10 cents each.

If you're still in highschool, you can join one of the two higher FIRST groups known as FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) and FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition). FTC uses a building system known as TETRIX (which uses the NXT Intelligent brick to control the robot, even though it is made of metal), while in FRC you build real robots (5 feet in height) using real motors (not just servos). Each has its own advantage. In one, you already familiar with the programming method, while the other allows you create a professional robot. They are both team competitions.
Report Spam   Logged

"Choosing to be committed to one thing means being less committed to another. Choose wisely."-One of my heroes...
CheesyMy NXT projectsCheesy
Join FLL (ages 9-14) -- Join FTC (ages 14-18) -- Join FRC (ages 14-18)
To the world you maybe be one person, but to one person you may be the world
Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.
Bookmark this site! | Upgrade This Forum
SMF For Free - Create your own Forum

Powered by SMF | SMF © 2016, Simple Machines
Privacy Policy
Page created in 0.069 seconds with 15 queries.