book

The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Inventor's Guide, 2nd Edition

by David J. Perdue, Laurens Valk

December 2010

Intermediate to advanced

336 pages

9h 40m

English

No Starch Press

Read now

Unlock full access

Technical Reviewers for the First Edition
About this BookPart I: Introduction to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0Part II: BuildingPart III: ProgrammingPart IV: ProjectsCompanion Website
Building a RobotProgramming a RobotActivating a RobotWhat Can I Create with My NXT 2.0 Set?Conclusion
RequirementsSix AA BatteriesA PC or MacBluetooth Technology (Optional)Getting a Quick StartInstalling the NXT SoftwareUsing the NXT SoftwareGetting Started with NXT-GCreating a New NXT-G ProgramAdding a Programming BlockEstablishing a Connection with the USB Cable and Downloading a ProgramEstablishing a Connection with Bluetooth Technology and Downloading a ProgramThe Robo CenterMy PortalOrganizing the PiecesConclusion

The NXTOutput (Motor) Ports and the USB PortThe Input (Sensor) PortsBluetooth CapabilityA LoudspeakerButtons and the LCDThe Servo MotorsThe SensorsPassive SensorsThe Touch SensorDigital SensorsThe Color SensorThe Ultrasonic SensorConnecting the Electronic Pieces with Electrical CablesGetting NXTremeConclusion
Introduction to the PiecesClassifying the PiecesNaming the PiecesMeasuring the PiecesExamining the PiecesThe ElectronicsThe BeamsThe Straight BeamThe Angled BeamThe Right-Angled BeamThe ConnectorsThe AxlesThe PegsThe Connector BlocksThe GearsBevel GearsDouble Bevel GearsOther GearsThe Miscellaneous ElementsConclusion
Extending BeamsWidening BeamsForming CornersCreating Angled StructuresCreating Dynamic StructuresCreating Flexible StructuresConclusion
The Gear TrainControlling a Gear Train’s PerformanceThe Gear RatioGearing Down: More Torque and Less SpeedGearing Up: More Speed and Less TorqueCompound Gearing: Achieving Greater Torque or SpeedAchieving Optimal PerformanceAssembling LEGO Gear TrainsSpacing Gears on Parallel AxlesSpacing Gears on Perpendicular AxlesConclusion
Starting an NXT-G ProgramThe NXT-G InterfaceThe Menu BarThe ToolbarThe Work AreaThe Programming PaletteThe Configuration PanelThe ControllerThe Little Help Window and the Work Area MapFundamental NXT-G ConceptsThe Starting PointSequence BeamsExtending the Sequence BeamParallel Sequence BeamsAutomatic Resizing of Sequence BeamsManaging Programming Blocks in the Work AreaNavigating the Work AreaIncreasing Program Readability with CommentsThe Common PaletteThe Move BlockThe Port ParameterThe Direction ParameterThe Steering ParameterThe Power ParameterThe Duration ParameterThe Next Action ParameterFeedback BoxesThe Record/Play BlockThe Sound BlockThe Display BlockThe Wait BlockThe Loop BlockThe Switch BlockConclusion
Data WiresData Plug CharacteristicsThe Wire PathTransmitting the Data TypesBroken Data WiresData Type MismatchMissing InputToo Many InputsThe Complete PaletteThe Common BlocksThe Action BlocksThe Motor BlockThe Sound BlockThe Display BlockThe Send Message BlockThe Color Lamp BlockThe Sensor BlocksThe Flow BlocksThe Data BlocksThe Logic BlockThe Math BlockThe Compare BlockThe Range BlockThe Random BlockThe Variable BlockThe Constant BlockThe Advanced BlocksThe Number to Text BlockThe Text BlockThe Keep Alive BlockThe File Access BlockThe Calibration BlockThe Reset Motor BlockThe Bluetooth Connection BlockThe Custom PaletteThe My BlocksThe Web BlocksConclusion
Calibrate SensorsUpdate NXT FirmwareCreate Pack and GoBlock Import and Export WizardImage EditorRemote ControlSound EditorConclusion
Hitting the Target with the MINDSTORMS MethodStep 1: Getting an Idea for a RobotStep 2: Building the RobotStep 3: Programming the RobotStep 4: Documenting the RobotConclusion
Building Inventor-BotConnecting the CablesProgramming Inventor-BotDriving Straight and TurningMaking the Robot InteractiveConclusion
Adding the Ultrasonic SensorAvoiding ObjectsFollowing an Object in a Straight LineThe Shooter ExtensionTesting the ShooterCreating the Complete Sentry ProgramConclusion
Creating the Antennae AttachmentsProgramming Table-BotKeeping Track of EventsGetting Out of CornersConclusion
Understanding the Jeep DesignSteering with the Front WheelsDriving with the Front WheelsMoving Around with the Jeep’s Front-Wheel DriveUnderstanding the Wheel SpeedsCalculating the Wheel SpeedsBuilding the JeepProgramming the JeepJeep Program EssentialsMy Block #1: Center and ResetMy Block #2: Wheel ControlTesting the My BlocksCreating the Wall-Avoidance ProgramFollowing a LineLine-Following BasicsLine Following with the JeepCreating the Line-Following ProgramFurther Explorations for the JeepIdea #1: HeadlightsIdea #2: Remote ControlIdea #3: Parking SensorConclusion
Understanding How the Lizard WalksUsing One Motor to Control Two LegsControlling Four Legs to Produce WalkingMaking TurnsBuilding the LizardBuilding the BodyAttaching the CablesBuilding and Attaching the LegsProgramming the LizardSynchronizing the Motors with Touch SensorsCreating the My BlocksMy Block #1: SynchronizeMy Block #2: WalkCreating the Final ProgramStep 1: The Structure of the ProgramStep 2: BlueStep 3: GreenStep 4: RedStep 5: YellowExploring the Lizard FurtherIdea #1: More BehaviorIdea #2: Create Your Own AnimalConclusion
Understanding How the Printer WorksComponents of the PrinterNon-LEGO Requirements for the PrinterBuilding the PrinterConnecting the CablesProgramming the PrinterCreating the My BlocksMy Block #1: LiftpenMy Block #2: LowerpenMy Block #3: ResetHorizontalMy Block #4: ResetVerticalMy Block #5: EjectMy Block #6: HorizontalMy Block #7: VerticalTesting and Troubleshooting the PrinterThe Test ProgramTroubleshooting the PrinterCreased or Crumpled Paper in the MachineThe Pen Doesn’t WriteThe Pen Presses Too HardThe ResetVertical My Block Doesn’t WorkThe Cable for Motor a Snags the PaperCreating the Final ProgramExploring the Printer FurtherIdea #1: Progress UpdateIdea #2: Morse CodeIdea #3: Data LoggingConclusion
General ResourcesProgramming ResourcesBluetooth ResourcesNXT BlogsLEGO Computeraided Design ResourcesBuilding TechniquesEducational ResourcesBuying LEGOLEGO StoragePersonal WebsitesLEGO Events

Overview

The Unofficial LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT 2.0 Inventor's Guide helps you to harness the capabilities of the NXT set and effectively plan, build, and program NXT 2.0 robots.

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Start your free trial

The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide

David J. Perdue

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book

Laurens Valk

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One Kit Wonders

James Floyd Kelly, Matthias Paul Scholz, Christopher R. Smith, Martijn Boogaarts, Jonathan Daudelin, Eric D. Burdo, Laurens Valk, Blue ToothKiwi, Fay Rhodes

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book

Martijn Boogaarts, Jonathan Daudelin, Brian L. Davis, James Floyd Kelly, Lou Morris, Fay Rhodes, Rick Rhodes, Matthias Paul Scholz, Christopher R. Smith, Rob Torok

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781593272159Errata