Introduction to Introduction to Lego Mindstorms Lego Mindstorms

NXTNXT

Video clips:Video clips: RubixRubix cube solver cube solver

RoboflushRoboflush

Gum ball sorterGum ball sorter

Lego Minstorms NXT Lego Minstorms NXT in Prairie Rose School in Prairie Rose School

DivisionDivision 4 NXT sets4 NXT sets 1 resource kit1 resource kit

Resource books are also available with each setResource books are also available with each set Teachers may book the kits through the Elie Resource Teachers may book the kits through the Elie Resource

CenterCenter Additional NXT sets in PRSDAdditional NXT sets in PRSD

Carman CollegiateCarman Collegiate 1 NXT set1 NXT set 1 resource kit1 resource kit

Iberville SchoolIberville School 2 NXT sets2 NXT sets 1 resource kit1 resource kit

Things to consider when Things to consider when using the NXT sets:using the NXT sets:

TimeTime SpaceSpace GroupingGrouping RolesRoles: assign roles such as “Piece : assign roles such as “Piece

Master”, “Instruction Guru”Master”, “Instruction Guru” Use step-by-step instructions as a Use step-by-step instructions as a

starting pointstarting point

Curriculum ConnectionsCurriculum Connections

Science (Design Process)Science (Design Process) Grade 5: Forces and Simple MachinesGrade 5: Forces and Simple Machines Grade 7: Forces and StructuresGrade 7: Forces and Structures Grade 11: PhysicsGrade 11: Physics

ElectronicsElectronics Computer ProgrammingComputer Programming

What does the base kit What does the base kit include?include? NXT Intelligent BrickNXT Intelligent Brick

Rechargeable lithium battery and chargerRechargeable lithium battery and charger 3 motors3 motors 1 each: light sensor, sound sensor, ultrasonic sensor1 each: light sensor, sound sensor, ultrasonic sensor 2 touch sensors2 touch sensors 3 rotation sensors built into the motors3 rotation sensors built into the motors 3 converter cables (for using existing sensors and 3 converter cables (for using existing sensors and

motors with the motors with the NXT BrickNXT Brick)) 7 connector cables (one .2M, two .5M, four .35M)7 connector cables (one .2M, two .5M, four .35M) 3 lamps3 lamps USB cableUSB cable Hundreds of Technic building elementsHundreds of Technic building elements Plastic storage bin with sorting traysPlastic storage bin with sorting trays

Pieces used to control your creationPieces used to control your creation

Brick: The “brain”; output motor ports and USB port, input sensor ports

Motors: Basically we program them to make calculated: rotations. They are connected to A, B or C

Touch sensor: Can sense the button being pressed, the button being released, and the button being pressed and then released.

Light sensor: Measures the intensity of light, how dark or how bright. Darkest it does is a dark closet, to get a reading of 100% you hold it to a flashlight. It can indirectly distinguish colours.

Sound sensor: Measures the “loudness” of a sound, it cannot recognize pitch or tone or voice commands. Quiet living room is about 4-5, distant talking is about 5 to 10. Moderate music is 10-30, yelling is 30 to 100.

Ultrasonic sensor: Uses sonar to measure distance (sound waves) and has an accuracy of 3cm, range of 8.5 feet. Caution: This is the only piece that is incompatible with other pieces like it.

Cables: includes 7 cables of different lengths, you use the cables to connect both the motors and the sensors.

BeamsPieces used to form the structure of your Pieces used to form the structure of your

creation - think of them as supports, or the creation - think of them as supports, or the walls of a house.walls of a house. -#1-7 = straight beams-

measured by number of holes (15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3), coloured. (light and dark

stone grey)

-#8-10 = angled beams- measured by number of holes (11.5 (big hole=1.5), 9,

7), coloured. (dark stone grey)

-#11-12 = perpendicular angled beams-

measured by number of holes (7, 5), coloured.

(dark stone grey)-#13 = triangular half beam-

coloured. (black)

-#14-15 = TECHNIC bricks-measured by top-

down dimensions of nubs (1x4, 1x6), coloured.

(dark stone grey)

StraightStraight BeamBeam

Most basic structural piece.Most basic structural piece.

Number of holes (usually odd) used to Number of holes (usually odd) used to connect to other pieces with connect to other pieces with connectors. This piece is measured connectors. This piece is measured by number of holes.by number of holes.

If just the word beam is used assume If just the word beam is used assume it means straight beam.it means straight beam.

- Most basic structural piece.- Number of holes (usually odd) used to connect to other

pieces with connectors. This piece is measured by number of holes.

- If just the word beam is used assume it means straight beam.

Straight Beam

Angled Beam- Used to make creation more

interesting or for specific uses (E.g. claws)

- Is almost exactly the same in function as the straight beam, but it has one or more angles at 45 or 90 degree angles depending on the specific piece.

- Beams of a variety of shapes that are only half as wide as standard beams.

- The only one in your set is in a triangular shape (these pieces aren’t measured under any standard).

Half-Beam

TECHNIC Bricks

- Pieces that have holes in their sides to interact with other beams but also studs on the top/bottom to interact with standard LEGO pieces.

ConnectorsPieces used to connect other parts of your Pieces used to connect other parts of your

creation, namely beams. Think of them as creation, namely beams. Think of them as screws, bolts, or nails.screws, bolts, or nails.

-#1-5,7-8,10-11 = axles -measured by chart (12,10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2),

coloured. (black, medium and dark stone grey)

-#6,9 = stopped axles- measured by chart

(5.5,3), coloured. (dark stone grey)

-#2,13 = bushing-half width of full width,

coloured. (medium stone

grey)

-#14,15,17,20,21,23 = pegs-

variety of colors, lengths, and circle/cross ends.

Other = assorted connectors/”connector blocks”-

variety of axles/pegs/other joints or places to put them for more specific and dynamic connections.

Axle Length of axle designed to be fixed into a cross hole or to spin freely

in a round hole. Most common connector piece usually attached to spinning parts

such as motors. Can be held in place with bushings.

Bushing• Their purpose is to be slid onto the ends of axles

and keep the axles fixed into round holes without

them falling out the sides.

Pegs One of the most vital connectors in LEGO Mindstorms, these pieces

quickly attach 2 round holes, 3 round holes, or a round hole and a cross hole in a freely turning joint.

• A large variety of different pieces with round and/or cross holes in a variety of different shapes to input axles and pegs into in order to enhance your construction capabilities.

Assorted Connectors/”Connector Blocks”

Gears Pieces used to transmit motion and forces and to change

speed/torque ratios.

-#1-4 = spur gears- measured by teeth # (8, 16, 24,

40), coloured. (medium stone grey)

-#5-7 = double bevel gears- measured by teeth # (12, 20,

36), coloured. (black, medium stone grey)

-#8-10 = other- assorted gears such as worm gears,

knob wheels, and turntables, coloured. (black)

Spur Gear- - The most standard gear designed to transmit motion in

a parallel plane.- Measured by number of teeth, coloured medium stone

grey.- Gears are usually mounted the right spacing apart on

free spinning axles.- The second gear will turn in the opposite direction as

the first gear. If the second has less teeth speed will be increased; if it has more teeth torque will be increased.

Double Bevel Gear- Essentially the same as a spur gear, but

the number of teeth differs and these can be mounted parallel OR perpendicular to each other.

Worm GearA gear to greatly reduce the speed of a motor while also greatly increasing torque. It has to be mounted specifically (see picture) and can only turn gears; gears can’t turn it.

Knob WheelNot really a gear but functions as a gear when

coupled with other knob wheels.

TurntableA large powerful gear usually used specifically to mount large portions of a creation that should be

rotatable.

Miscellaneous Elements

Random pieces that do not fit into other categories.

Includes claws (to grab things?), balls (to shoot?), tires and wheels (to drive), decorative cones and teeth (to look cool!), and pulley wheels (to

do physics!).

BuildingBuilding

Your task: Build Zippy-Bot!Your task: Build Zippy-Bot!

ProgrammingProgramming

Make a program that plays a sound Make a program that plays a sound file.file.

Try to use the Try to use the displaydisplay and and wait wait programming icons.programming icons.

Problem-solving ProcessProblem-solving Process What is the robot’s task?What is the robot’s task? What behaviors are needed to accomplish it?What behaviors are needed to accomplish it? Create the program – debug then download.Create the program – debug then download. Run the program.Run the program. Is the NXT behaving badly (doesn’t do task)?Is the NXT behaving badly (doesn’t do task)?

Check the robot first. If there’s a problem, can you fix Check the robot first. If there’s a problem, can you fix it? it?

Next, check the program. Problem? Can you fix it?Next, check the program. Problem? Can you fix it? Last, go back to the beginning and reread the task. Last, go back to the beginning and reread the task.

Does your program really tell the robot what it’s Does your program really tell the robot what it’s supposed to do?supposed to do?

ProgrammingProgramming

Challenge 1:Challenge 1: Create and test a Create and test a program to make the robot go program to make the robot go forward in a straight line for exactly forward in a straight line for exactly 1 second1 second

Challenge 2: Challenge 2: Create and test a Create and test a program to make the robot go in a program to make the robot go in a squaresquare

Challenge 3: Light Dark Challenge 3: Light Dark ProgramProgram

Create and test a program to make Create and test a program to make the robot:the robot:

Go forward until it finds a dark lineGo forward until it finds a dark line Stop for 1 secondStop for 1 second Go forward until it finds lightGo forward until it finds light Stop for 1 secondStop for 1 second Reverse for 4 secondsReverse for 4 seconds

Challenge 4: Tracker Challenge 4: Tracker ProgramProgram

Create a program to make the robot:Create a program to make the robot: Go forward until it finds a dark lineGo forward until it finds a dark line Move forward along the edge of the Move forward along the edge of the

lineline Save your program as your first name Save your program as your first name

and Trackerand Tracker

HintsHints: You need a loop, and it’s easier if : You need a loop, and it’s easier if the robot starts at less than a 90the robot starts at less than a 90 angleangle

Challenge 5: Bump Challenge 5: Bump ProgramProgram

Create a program to make the robot:Create a program to make the robot: Go forward until it finds a wallGo forward until it finds a wall Turn moving backward for 2 secondsTurn moving backward for 2 seconds Repeat these behaviors for 5 “wall Repeat these behaviors for 5 “wall

bumps”bumps” Save your program as your first name Save your program as your first name

and Bumpand Bump

HintHint: You’ll need to use wait until Touch : You’ll need to use wait until Touch in for the first step.in for the first step.

Bonus Beep ChallengeBonus Beep Challenge

Create a program to make the robot:Create a program to make the robot: Go forward until it finds a lineGo forward until it finds a line Stop for 1 second and beepStop for 1 second and beep Repeat for 5 linesRepeat for 5 lines For fun, end with a different soundFor fun, end with a different sound Save your program as your first Save your program as your first

name and Beepname and Beep

Questions?Questions?