The Brothers Brick » MINDSTORMS

LEGO sorting machine built from LEGO

Andrew — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:26:24 +0000

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 1×2 bricks by both shape and color and then moves the pallets full of sorted bricks.

Read more about the sorting machine on BrickIt.dk.

Leveling up in Gears of War 3 & Skyrim with LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots

Andrew — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:09:02 +0000

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 medal).

Meanwhile, Justin built his own robot to max out his restoration level to 100 in Skyrim.

What do you think? Fair play or hax0rs?

LEGO Mindstorms “Time Twister” digital clock by Hans Andersson

Andrew — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:49:09 +0000

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!

New CubeStormer II solves Rubik’s Cube in 5.3 seconds

Andrew — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:59:23 +0000

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.

Lego milling machine

Nannan — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:28:50 +0000

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 and science: robot cat for scaredy rats

gambort — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:53:17 +0000

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 a novel way: to test fear in rats using the aptly named Robogator. This is certainly the first time I’ve seen LEGO used in neuroscience and I have to admit the idea of testing fear using a bright colourful toy robot is pretty clever and amusing. They have a few videos too.

Physorg have more details and I, in an astounding reversal of the usual, found the link on Boing Boing.

LEGO 3D scanner used to generate 3D LDraw parts

gambort — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:44:10 +0000

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 hey?

Phillipe Hurbaine (philo) is well known for his clever software, hardware, LEGOware and general LEGO-mechanical skill but I have to say his latest work just takes the cake. And as if making a 3D scanner wasn’t enough he has actually used it to model some LDraw parts. I think this is probably the best working LEGO thing I have ever seen.

Massive chess set is playing for keeps.

Caylin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:58:52 +0000

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 & PC Interface: Ron McRae
· Move Selection Center & Showcase Event Coordination: Bryan Bonahoom
· Chess Clock: Jenn Wagner

With nearly 2 dozen people helping with the actual build, this chess set is clearly a herculean effort. It looks simply amazing.

Via Gizmodo.

LEGO MINDSTORMS RCX solves Rubik’s Cube in 12 seconds flat

Andrew — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:49:53 +0000

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 Cube solver is different indeed.

Jaw-dropping LEGO Pirates movie made with MINDSTORMS NXT

Andrew — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:21:57 +0000

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!

LEGO Announces Special Edition BLACK MINDSTORMS NXT [News]

Dan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:24:45 +0000

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 have produced to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of LEGO MINDSTORMS.

The first LEGO MINDSTORMS products came out in the year 1998 and have since then continued to bring fun and active building and programming experiences to millions of robotic builders across the world!

Only 1998 exclusive units will only be available through our online shop www.legoshop.com (or) www.amazon.com

Why a Black NXT? Because it is cool! And looking around in the MINDSTORMS community we noticed that a Black NXT was high on the wish list among users. Also, talking to the MINDSTORMS Community Partners, the closed web forum of adult fans collaborating with the LEGO MINDSTORMS development team, it was very well received and suggested as a must-have!

Once you have bought and received your new Black NXT you will get access to additional materials like a special-made program for the Black NXT, a personal certificate of ownership, wallpapers, building instructions for special models.

Please note that this is an exclusive item in a limited edition: only ~~1000~~ 1998 produced! – so, if you want to secure yours go online at www.amazon.com (or) www.legoshop.com now!

The LEGO MINDSTORMS Team

I must say, I find this to be pretty cool news. I think that the LEGO Mindstorms Black NXT Brick is quite sharp looking. Maybe our own Nannan will even find a way to work on into one of his black fantasy creations.

~~I’m not sure why their press release says there will be 1998 made in one spot, and 1000 in another, but I’ll try to get an answer on that.~~

EDIT (AB): I’ve confirmed with LEGO that it’s 1998.

LEGO Space Police, Indy, Castle, NXT 2.0, and other late 2009 sets revealed at Canadian toy show [News]

Andrew — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:51:37 +0000

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 Fair in Toronto this past weekend, posting a full run-down of the late 2009 LEGO releases.

We’ve confirmed with The LEGO Group that this is official. Although Kris Abel reports that many of the sets and box art are still prototypes, his photos of the sets themselves are pretty good. In keeping with our new policy, then, here goes…

First up, LEGO Space Police!!!

5972 Container Heist opens up to reveal a massive cannon:

If you can’t see the photos, click the links at the bottom of this post.

5974 Galactic Enforcer has classic (dare I say Classic?) lines:

The alien criminals in the LEGO Space Police sets have several new, unique pieces:

In LEGO Star Wars news, Endor gets a bunker (8038), the Y-Wing gets a facelift (8037), the Neimoidians get their own shuttle (with Nute Gunray minifig?), and 7749 Echo Base includes a first-ever LEGO tauntaun:

LEGO Power Miners sport a larger rock monster and a very large drilling platform:

The LEGO Indiana Jones assortment includes a boat chase, a pair of fighters, and a new Elsa Schneider minifig:

On the LEGO Castle front, the trolls get their castle and the undead make their return in 7079 Drawbridge Defense:

Finally, LEGO has announced MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0, with a new color sensor.

You can read all of Kris Abel’s coverage on his blog:

We’ll expect even more complete coverage at Toy Fair New York in a few weeks from the usual suspects. In the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments.

Auto-controlled tripod turret

Nannan — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:24:11 +0000

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:

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Wall-E by Marc-Andre

Andrew — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:17:52 +0000

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!

LEGO MINDSTORMS Donkey Kong by Dan Kressin

Andrew — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:47:17 +0000

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 fantastic creation on Dan Kressin’s Web site.

(Via Forum 0937 and Klocki.)