My ™LEGO Robotics Equipment
™MINDSTORMS NXT EDUCATION
Cutting edge technology places sonar, sound sensors, voice, expressive graphics and more into your students hands and roaming around your classroom floor!
The associated NXTg graphical programming environment is backed onto the world leading “LabView” platform. Draw your own graphics and record your own voice and sound effects for the robot to use.
Apply I.C.T. as never before. And the learning- transference. Most computer applications have similarities of usage that once a student is competent in a few programs, can transfer this skill to other applications with confidence. Program an emotional robot and along the way be convinced how robotics delivers ICT, systems technology, math’s, science, thinking skills and practical literacy effortlessly.
Students develop computer, engineering and scientific, mathematical and thinking skills through hands-on experiences that relate back to the real world using industry standard software and realistic models.
Students use autonomous robots that can :
- Take independent action
- Interact and make decisions based on the inputs from the conditions around them
- Two RCX / NXT bricks can even communicate with each other
- Use cutting- edge technology that directly equates with possible future training and employment
- Are a highly motivational learning tool
Incursions : I supply 15 complete LEGO NXT robots.
Each robot consists of :
- The NXT Brick Microprocessor
- 2 motors ( with in-built rotation/angle sensors)
- 1 Light Sensor
- 1 Touch Sensor
- 1 Ultrasonic sensor
- 1 Sound Sensor
- Plus all associated leads and LEGO building elements.
NXT robotics models can be built in any configuration. However, I have elected to work with pre-constructed basic robots as this option presents fewer equipment management issues. It also allows students to concentrate their efforts on the programming and challenges rather than construction issues and the "fiddle factor" that this can create. For my sessions I have designed a flatter more stable robot than the standard LEGO education robot design instructions.
The robot "Get a Grip" challenge requires that the students build an add-on claw for their robot. I supply the additional LEGO elements and an extra motor for this activity. For units that combine building and programming I require longer time working with your students.
The LEGO building elements click together using connecting pegs to create strong versatile models.
OPTIONS
For longer projects within a school, students also have the option of modifying my basic robot to include and extra motor and building elements. ( supplied : thousands of building elements, extra motors, lamps, connecting leads)
For some themes, students are also offered the option of adding Non-LEGO craft elements to their robots.
Educational Purchasing Consultancy
The NXT Microprocessor
The NXT brick is part of each basic robot
The NXT brick is integrated into all models. It powers the models and holds and runs the programs and is the attachment point for all sensors and motors. These attachment slots are on the top and lower edges of the brick and are labeled A,B,C ( see outputs) and 1,2,3,and 4 ( see( inputs / sensors)
The NXT brick communicates with my computers via a USB cable ( or Bluetooth dongle), this allows the students to write programs on the computer and download
them into the NXT brick so that the robot may execute their commands.
SENSORS - ( Inputs / dataloggers)
INPUTS tell us something about the robot's environment and can be used to control the robot's behavior.
Inputs ( sensors) are connected to the NXT bricks input ports and can be programmed to monitor for conditions and then react to specified situations in a given manner via the programming.
The SCIENCE and MATHS - Using sensors successfully involves taking readings, deciding on thresholds and allowing for variables in a real life situation, fair testing and modification of the robot/program to achieve the desired outcome using the robot.
These sensors are built onto each basic robot:
The ULTRASONIC SENSOR
Senses objects and distance.
By Using the Ultrasonic sensor the programmer can cause the robot to avoid objects and calculate the distance between robot and the Object.
The ultrasonic sensor works in a similar manner to a "bat's " navigation system. This provides options for plenty of scientific investigation regarding this sensors scope and performance.
The LIGHT SENSOR
- Reads light intensity from environment (ambient light)
- Reads reflection from IR emitter
- Can be used to read reflected light from a specific position.
- By default can read some colours
To use the light sensor successfully students will need to consider the ambient light conditions and make considered choices regarding readings they use in their programs. This sensor provides plenty of scope to work using Scientific Processes.
The TOUCH SENSOR
- Senses bumped / in / release
- Has an axle cross-hole for building
- The touch sensor can also be used as a button / counting device.
THE SOUND SENSOR
The Sound Sensor is a microphone that is able to pick up and use decibels and adjusted decibels and use these readings within a program. Students can have their robot reacting to voice commands and sounds in many different ways while learning about sound.
THE ROTATION SENSOR
This sensor is in-built into the NXT motor and refers to the rotation of the axle attached to the NXT motor, this results in rotation of the wheel which in turn results in the robot moving a specified linear distance according to the programming instructions.
The ANGLE SENSOR is also in-built into the NXT motor, these motors are servo motors that have 360 degrees of step control. Via programming using degrees the programmer is able to control the robot in single degrees, students are able to precisely control the position of their robot in an area. This option has far less variables than control via time taken ( battery/power issues)
The mathematical understandings of rotational to linear distance according to the programmed rotations, degrees and the circumference of the tyre is a basic understanding covered in my sessions.
TIMER
A TIMER is in-built into the NXT brick and can be used to monitor and control the robot. By combining the timer with measurements such as distance traveled students are able to calculate time over distance ( speed)
OUTPUTS
Outputs DO SOMETHING, therefore motors, lights, sound and graphics are outputs. The programmer is able to control what the outputs do, when they do it, how and duration via their program and by using the sensors to monitor for situations.
Outputs can be physical things such as movement or turning a lamp on or off, or actions such as making a sound, saying something, showing a message or graphic on the LCD panel.
Each basic NXT robot has a minimum of 2 motor and can show graphics and play sounds
MOVEMENT AND LAMPS
The NXT brick has 3 output PORTS, this allows the students to connect 3 outputs to their NXT brick. A port is a connecting point on a computer.
The basic robot I use for my classes has 2 motors connected, these are used to cause the robot to move and for directional control. Students participating in longer sessions and themed units may have the option of building in a 3rd motor.
Motor Programming icons allow control of direction, steering, duration and power. The icons artwork packages symbols that represent all these elements.
A lamp may also be turned on and off and the lamp intensity controlled via the power setting.
GRAPHICS
The NXTg programming environment contains a selection of graphics that students can use in their programs. This will cause the selected graphic to be shown on the NXT brick's LCD screen at the prescribed time. In longer sessions students will be offered the option to create their own graphics using a simple graphics program similar to MS Paint
SOUND
The NXT programming environment also offers students the ability to program their robot to speak short phrases / words , make sounds and play simple music.
It is also possible to record your own voice / sound effects using the basic Windows recording facility with a connected microphone and attach these sound files to your NXT program for the robot to play. This function along with the graphics ability illustrates the "cross pollination" of NXT programming to other programs and utilities.
PROGRAMMING
How easy / difficult is programming a robot?
Programming can be tackled at a very basic simplified level by programming a simple 5 step instruction on the NXT brick. This is useful for younger classes, students with few computer skills or for short sessions. We can also monitor and record the readings from the sensors without a computer. On-Brick programming is useful for conveying the basics of programming to students who have had no programming experience. It teaches the sequencing of commands and the relationship between inputs and outputs. However, it’s when students use the computer to program their robots that the real power of using robotics as a teaching tool is unleashed.
You have the choice of two LEGO Robotics programming environments – LEGO NXT or LEGO RoboLab 2.9.4c You can either make this choice yourself or leave the decision up to me; I will usually select NXTg programming software ( except for the Robotics Soccer Challenge) . Both programming environments can program the NXT robot and both have their strengths.
Which Software Should I select For My Class?
Select the NXT g Software
- If your students have never done any form of programming before
- If you already have LEGO NXT robots in your school
- If you are a Primary School
- If you are looking for an easy programming option
- May like students to record their own sounds and place graphics on the NXT
Select the RoboLab 2.9.4c Software
- If your students have done some programming
- If you already have LEGO RCX robots in your school
- If you are a Secondary School
- If you are looking for a more advanced programming option
- May like students to compete/ experience robot soccer or rescue
Click here for the programming options for the NXT brick
Schools With RCX Bricks
Your school may already have some of the older LEGO MINDSTORMS For Schools equipment. I have 12 years experience using this equipment and you may nominate to use your sets and RCX bricks
The RoboLab 2.9 programming environment can be used to program both /either the RCX and/or the NXT bricks. At right you will see a graphic of the two bricks, both are microprocessors. The NXT brick is the most recent addition to the LEGO robotics range.
Please advise me if you wish to use your equipment as students will need to build a basic robot using the RCX brick and your equipment. I will provide the building instructions.
The RCX brick must be programmed with RoboLab software * Click here for more information about programming using RoboLab software
* Both the RCX and NXT Robots have a number of non-LEGO programming environments available, these are largely language based. For my workshops and incursions I stick to the LEGO options. For purists who wish to program in a text based language there are many options.
Thinking of purchasing LEGO Robots?
For Melbourne schools* - FREE consultancy service: Let me help you, I have an alliance with MOORE EDUCATIONAL an Australian LEGO Education distributor. I can visit your school and demonstrate the equipment, discuss your needs, curriculum and implementation and formulate and action your order. E Mail me, Sue Inness, sue_inness@bigpond.com , to arrange a free appointment.
*For schools and educational institutions only, within 1hr 30 min drive from Rye, Victoria
Private Individuals - Sessions and Purchase
MOORE EDUCATIONAL operates LEGO EDUCATION centers in Melbourne and Brisbane. The centers offers a full range of activity sessions for children and sell an extensive range of LEGO products and spare parts from the retail and education ranges