Someone apparently snuck into LEGO R&D and managed to smuggle out video footage of a forthcoming electromagnetic device for the MINDSTORMS NXT. This is some pretty unbelievable footage:
We asked LEGO Community Team member Jan Beyer if this was for real, and he said, “We are not happy about this leak, and cannot confirm the authenticity of this video…”
Update (April 2): April Fools! (This one courtesy of The LEGO Company itself.)
RoboRealm software from Wizard Robotics enables you to use your Xbox 360 controller to control your MINDSTORMS NXT robots. How cool is that? Get the source code here. (Via The NXT STEP.)
Carlos Encinas creates the first motorized tank I’ve seen called the Tiger. Click on the picture to read more about the model.
Check out the video of the tank in motion!
I am impressed by the functionality of the mindstorms kit. I am coincidentally working on my own motorized tank, but it uses a basic motor. This impressive demonstration of combining robotics with system certainly inspired me to consider using mindstorms in any future endeavors at motorized things.
Via Klocki
Dang, that’s awesome! By Daniele Benedettelli, via nxtasy.org.
These time-lapse videos of LEGO events are always cool, especially with hilarious Benny Hill music:
That’s the setup for the annual Malkara School model railroad exhibit in Canberra, Australia — an event that Peter Edwards participates in.
An interesting side note: The trains are run by MINDSTORMS. How cool is that?
Speaking of cool videos, Peter Edwards has some really interesting creations on his Web site, including many that are motorized in some way.
Here’s Peter’s very fast LEGO slot cars are built around AFX motors:
My favorite, though, is the video of an ingenious set of “dodgem” cars:
Be sure to check out Peter’s Web site for lots more, including higher-resolution versions of these and other great videos.
This just in from Jan Beyer of The LEGO Group:
Are You a Hardcore LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT User?
Do you want to have a seat in our closed webforum, the Mindstorms Community Partners, where we involve you in our development and tests of new ideas, concepts, prototypes, products and discuss various issues like ideas for SW, HW, FW and wetware…?
Then send an application via email with a description of yourself, your involvement with LEGO MINDSTORMS, your special areas of interest, and a paragraph on why you are eligible to be an MCP member!
Send it to mindstormsnxt@lego.com with the header ‘MCP 2.0 application’.
Applications will be received from now and until 10 July 1200 GMT. All email applications received after this will be rejected.
Applicants must be 18 years old to apply.
We like reader submissions. Here’s one from Brian Davis (a contributor over at The NXT STEP):
You can also watch PackBot try to escape from the cruel slavery of its human masters.
Thanks Brian!
Scaled-down versions of classic Technic sets by the Arvo brothers (via Klocki) and Sugegasa’s Waterside Station:
LEGO Design School on LEGO.com (via LegOficina dos Baixinhos.
NXT Rubik’s cube solver by Daniele Benedettelli (via LEGO.com MINDSTORMS NXT News).
Tim “Spook” Zarki’s microscale Maintenance and Repair Vessel (via Moyblik):
There’s waaaaay too much good stuff today. I’ll never catch up unless I go with links instead of the usual full posts. I guess it’s a good situation to be in. On to the first batch…
Star Wars vs. Star Trek (via LegOficina dos Baixinhos):
And a bunch of very funny NXT vs. RCX Videos from Iowa State (via NXT STEP).
The First LEGO League World Festival 2007 is going on through today in Atlanta, Georgia.
Head on over to The NXT STEP for extensive coverage. Hope you’re having fun, Gothic Lawn Gnomes!
So, what might a SYSTEM builder use a MINDSTORMS NXT robot for? Sorting bricks by color, of course! Duh.
Check out Dave Astolfo’s Brick Sorter:
Read more about it on nxtasy.org or on Dave’s site, Plasti-Bots.