The BrickIt team in Denmark has built a robotic system to sort LEGO bricks. The “Dynaway Sorting Plant” uses 28 Mindstorms NXT motors, 7 processors, 4 color sensors, and 14 touch sensors, and took over 250 hours of programming time plus 800 hours to build. The result is an amazing system that separates 2×4 and Continue reading →
Though I prefer to earn my experience, medals, and achievements the old-fashioned way, I never cease to be impressed (and mildly amused) by those who design LEGO robots to accomplish their video game goals. Guy Himber built a robot to get the Onyx Active Reload medal in Gears of War 3 (watch him get the Continue reading →
Solving Rubkik’s Cubes isn’t the only thing that LEGO Mindstorms robotics are good for. Swedish robotics builder Hans Andersson has built a digital clock that even “blinks” with each second. Check out more of Hans’ robots, including a Sudoku solver of all things, on TiltedTwister.com. Thanks for the link, reader Thomas!
We featured Mike Dobson‘s first Rubik’s-solving CubeStormer last year. Now, Mike has teamed up with David Gilday to create an updated version that scans the cube, creates a solution, and then manipulates the cube to solve the puzzle. Read more about all the technical details on YouTube.
Arthur Sacek developed a milling machine made using only Lego parts and a drill. The video shows the machine sculpting a 3D face from a block of floral foam. Thanks for the tip aabbee 150!
LEGO Mindstorms (and indeed regular technic) are a not unusual sight in science laboratories. Unfortunately I’m not lucky enough to need ‘work LEGO’ but I have looked jealously into labs that do. Typically it’s used to automate simple procedures or make quick reconfigurable rigs. The Kim Laboratory of the University of Washington use LEGO in Continue reading →
Did you know you can make a 3D laser scanner out of LEGO bricks and a few custom parts? No? Nor did I until today. Did you know you can then use your LEGO model to scan LEGO parts and turn them into 3D CAD LDraw parts to make virtual LEGO models out of? Amazing Continue reading →
This is…huge. Large. And I think it might just come after me in my sleep. Making its debut at Brickworld in Chicago, this massive chess set features a year-long build time, over 100k pieces, and 32 NXT. Your design team features: · Project Lead: Steve Hassenplug · Chess Body Design: John Brost · Software & Continue reading →
Mike Dobson has created “CubeStormer” — the world’s fastest Rubik’s Cube solver. Watch it to believe it. CubeStormer uses the older MINDSTORMS RCX robotics system, hooked into Cube Explorer software. Thanks for the tip, Carter. I’d passed this up when it made the rounds on the ‘net about a week ago, but this MINDSTORMS Rubik’s Continue reading →
Nearly all LEGO movies we feature here on The Brothers Brick are animated with stop-motion. NeXTSTORM has instead programmed a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT brick for every single element of motion in this LEGO Pirates movie. Awesome tip, Dylan!
We’ve just received some exciting news from LEGO. It seems that they will be selling a limited edition black Mindstorms NXT kit. Here’s the press release: LEGO MINDSTORMS 10 Year Anniversary Exclusive: The Black NXT Limited Edition. Now you can be the proud owner of one of the Limited Edition Black NXT micro-controllers that we Continue reading →
UPDATE: Nearly all of the LEGO sets featured in this post are now available, including LEGO Space Police, Castle, and Agents 2.0. ———— LEGO fans don’t normally get an official look at third-quarter LEGO set releases until Toy Fair New York in mid-February. However, CTV technology journalist Kris Abel visited the Canadian Toy & Hobby Continue reading →
Brickshelf user (and Klocki contributor) Sariel presents two versions of an auto-controlled tripod turret, one featuring light-up fiber-optic cables and a spinning barrel while the other features a fully-working firing mechanism that launches 12 clips. Check out the Youtube video of both versions of the gun:
QuéLUG member Marc-André (aka Bazmati/Bazmarc) has built a fully automated Wall-E using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT and Power Functions: I love the movement on Wall-E’s expressive eyes. Thanks to reader William for the tip!
Dan Kressin has built an awesome recreation of Nintendo’s classic Donkey Kong game using the older LEGO MINDSTORMS RCX system: The light sensor triggers Mario’s jump, while a troll stands in for Donkey Kong up at the top, throwing barrels down the ramp. Even the music is coming from the RCX! Read all about his Continue reading →