By David J. Perdue
First Edition
November 2007
Publisher: No Starch Press
Pages: 320
ISBN 10: 1-59327-154-9 |
ISBN 13: 9781593271541
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set is a very powerful robotics toolkit, but it lacks a detailed user's guide. This is the user's guide that every MINDSTORMS owner needs. The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide begins by introducing the NXT set and directing the reader through setup. Following this is an in-depth discussion of the set's electronic elements and other LEGO pieces as well as building techniques. Next, it covers the NXT-G programming environment and introduces several unofficial programming languages, providing examples of code and programming insights along the way. Finally, it presents a method for designing NXT robots in addition to a series of projects with building and programming instructions for creating complete robots. This book will enable readers at all levels to plan, construct, program, and test their own NXT robots. Includes a MINDSTORMS NXT Brickopedia.
Full Description
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set includes a variety of powerful electronic parts (motors, sensors, and the programmable NXT microcomputer) and lots of building elements. With these parts you can create thousands of unique, intelligent robots. The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide helps you to harness the capabilities of the NXT set and effectively plan, build, and program your own NXT robots.
The first part of the book contains a brief introduction to the NXT set. You'll then examine the pieces in the NXT set and the roles they play in construction. Next, you'll learn practical building techniques, like how to build sturdy structures and work with gears. Then it's time to learn how to program with the official NXT-G programming language (and learn a bit about several unofficial programming languages). You'll also learn what author David J. Perdue calls the MINDSTORMS method: a strategy for creating your own robots. Finally, you'll follow step-by-step instructions for building, programming, and testing six sample robots (all of which can be built using only the parts found in one NXT set). These six robots include:
- Zippy-Bot, a two-wheeled vehicle with a ball caster
- Bumper-Bot, a version of Zippy-Bot that explores your room and avoids objects
- Claw-Bot, a version of Zippy-Bot that searches for objects and pushes them away with its claw
- Tag-Bot, a four-wheeled steering vehicle that dashes around while you try to "tag" it with a flashlight
- Guard-Bot, a six-legged walking robot that launches a ball at intruders
- Golf-Bot, a stationary robot that finds a target and then hits a ball into the target
You'll also find an NXT-G Quick Reference, which provides information on the 30 types of standard programming blocks, and the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Piece Library, which features detailed information and images of the more than 80 types of LEGO pieces in the NXT set.
So go ahead. Grab your NXT set, fire up your creative mind, and see what you can invent with The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide.
Featured customer reviews
Be the first person to review this book!
Media reviews
"Mindstorms expert David J. Perdue fills his book with plans for the aggressive-sounding Claw-Bot and Guard-Bot, as well as the stationary Golf-Bot. Perdue takes you step by step into the Mindstorms NXT's rich, fascinating little world of pegs, gears, and electronic parts. He also provides guidance for constructing sturdier machines for your next battle of the bots."
-- Mark Baard, Boston.com
