Tag Archives: MINDSTORMS

Mindstorms Cyclops Robot Controlled by Exo-Suit

Danny Benedettelli builds robots using Mindstorms, and has been doing it for quite some time. He contributed models for EV3, when that was released, including this playable electric guitar. Today, we’re focusing on his robot Cyclops.

Now, granted, it looks like Cyclops has been around for a while, but it’s new to us, and I’ll hazard a guess it’s new for a lot of you, too.

Let’s introduce you to Cyclops:

 

And how Cyclops is able to move:

Since you can’t have a robot revolution without improving on previous designs, Danny also brings us Cyclops mk III:

 

via Nerdist

Lego mosaic printer

The latest cool functioning creation from Jason Allemann is a Lego mosaic printer made completely out of official Lego elements. It uses a Mindstorms EV3 to scan an image and recreate it as a mosaic using 1×1 plates. Check out the video below or go to YouTube to learn how this creation was designed.

Bricasso - LEGO Mosaic Printer

Robot Can Build a LEGO Tower All the Way to Space!

Well, OK, just in theory. But this amazing NXT-controlled LEGO robot by Hknssn can build its own tower, and since the robot rides up the tower with each new piece it places, there’s theoretically no limit to how high it can build as long as it continues to be fed pieces.

Can you outsmart the black box?

Jason Allemann (True Dimensions) has been imbuing LEGO EV3 Mindstorms with a snarky personality in the form of this black box. You’ll just have to watch the video to see what it does.

For those of you who’d like to build your own black box, Jason has provided instructions on his website.

Fabrik Mosaïque

We are still far removed from the point where LEGO robots can build copies of themselves, but the ‘Fabrik Mosaïque’ built by minkowsky shows an interesting first step.

Fabrik Mosaïque

The factory building itself is nice, but when I first saw it, it didn’t strike me as all that remarkable. I’m glad I took a closer look, however, because of what it does: using LEGO Mindstorms it scans an image and then produces an 8 x 8 pixel two colour mosaic of that image using lines of LEGO tiles.

I can’t quite see a factory like this appearing in every shopping district and I wonder how well it does with an image that isn’t pixelated to start with, but this is clever stuff.

Legonardo the drawing automata powered by LEGO MINDSTORMS

Daniele Benedettelli was inspired by The Invention of Hugo Cabret to build a working automata that draws portraits. His Legonardo is powered by MINDSTORMS and custom software Daniele wrote himself.

Legonardo

Watch the video of Legonardo in action here:

Via MAKE.

LEGO and Arduino Projects: Projects for extending MINDSTORMS NXT with open-source electronics

Not surprisingly, one of my favorite non-LEGO blogs is the MAKE Blog, where Cult of LEGO author John Baichtel joins tech/geek luminaries like Boing Boing founder Mark Frauenfelder to highlight everything from steampunk art cars to the latest adventures in 3D printing.

One frequent MAKE topic I’m fascinated by (though I certainly already have way too many hobbies) is Arduino. Dubbed “open source hardware,” it’s always fascinating seeing what just about anybody (especially kids) can do with these little boards.

John’s latest book, LEGO and Arduino Projects: Projects for extending MINDSTORMS NXT with open-source electronics, is part of MAKE’s own how-to series, and merges two logical, inevitable hobbies.

John writes in today’s Monday Jolt to introduce the book, and talks specifically about integrating the two systems, as well as how the two systems compare.

Head on over to the MAKE Blog to read John’s intro. You can pick up the book from Amazon.com.

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 unveiled [News]

The next generation of LEGO Mindstorms was just revealed and is scheduled for release this summer. You can read about the new features on TechnicBRICKs or in the official press release on Engadget. The retail value is $349.99(USD), €349.99(EUR) and $399.99(CAD).

LEGO Mindstorms EV3

Because there can never be too many clowns

Guy Himber, aka V&A Steamworks, has created a mind-blowing, mouth-watering, magnificent, and majestic Mold-A-Rama machine. I saw it at BrickCon and even got to breathe the same air as the builder. Let me tell you, it was a pleasure and the machine definitely deserved the “Best Use of NXT” award that it received. I didn’t get to observe the effects in person, but I understand that many paying members of the LEGO-viewing public were reduced to quivering pools of confusion while trying to figure out how Guy’s contraption worked. And that, dear readers, is the sign of a great LEGO build.

LEGO - MOLD-A-RAMA by V&A Steamworks

I insist you watch the video:

Great Great Ball Contraption

Freelance Technic blogger, Peer Kreuger (mahjqa) sends us this beauty. I agree!

While most great ball contraptions are the result of a collaboration between many people, mechanical mastermind Akiyuki has been so busy building GBC modules that he made a damn impressive lineup all on his own. The intricate modules have an almost hypnotic quality to them.

LEGO Mars Curiosity Rover powered by MINDSTORMS NXT (not plutonium)

We’re generally not as quick to blog Technic and MINDSTORMS models here, so with apologies to our readers who’ve already seen this (but in the interest of completeness): Will Gorman and Doug Moran recently built a fairly functional version of the Mars Curiosity Rover, with four of six working wheels, robotic arm, and mast.

According to the builders, “The Curiosity Rover was created with 7 NXT Bricks, 13 NXT Motors, 2 Power Function Motors, and over 1000+ LEGO Bricks. The software was developed using leJOS NXJ.”

The LEGO Group provided all the LEGO, and the rover was featured at LEGO and NASA’s Build the Future in Space event at Kennedy Space Center.

LEGO Step Sequencer

I’m on a bit of a blogging hiatus lately thanks to a massive work overload, but when Moritz Nolting (nolnet) linked me to this LEGO tenori-on I absolutely had to break my break and share it. Some help to make your own can be found here.

Beat Bricks – A LEGO Step Sequencer from superquadratic on Vimeo.