Discovering Lego Mindstorms.
More than a toy, Lego Mindstorms is the perfect tool for a creative brain.
Finally, on January 2006, I was able to buy my own Lego(r) Mindstorms(tm). This expensive "toy" is more than a simple toy, is a tool to create and discover mechanics. It contains many building blocks, gears, axles and some parts that I can't even figure the name.
I love robots, I tried to have one since I was a kid. When I was 12 years old, I tried to build one using some motors and small lightbulbs. Of course, I was not able to make it. The desire to build one was always in my mind but the main problem is the knowledge and parts.
After I had the knowledge of electronics, I was not able to build it because I have no idea about mechanics.
Lego Mindstorms is perfect to begin building robots. It have an easy-to-program "brain" called RCX. Is so easy that in just one day I learned how to program it.
The hard part is the mechanics. Looking at some pictures of robots, you may think "is easy to build" but is not. I guess some knowledge about mechanics is needed to create all kind of machines using Lego.
As soon I opened the box, I started to build robots (without programming the RCX, I was so excited!)
After two or three hours "building", I was able to create my first robot. It was a toy car that go forward unless hit something. When the bumper detects an obstacle, the car go back, turn and continues to go forward to another direction.
After I built the first robot, I was creating other machines like crazy, but I got frustrated and I decided to follow the manual. Well... Is not a manual is a "constructopedia". There is only a few tips to build robots and gives examples how to build many types of robots.
The CD included have more examples and challenges. Before I can build these robots, I decided to get some knowledge and practice mechanics. Believe me, is not easy to build a robot without knowledge about mechanics.
Here is an small movie (avi) that shows my first robot. First Robot
As soon I learn more about building robots, I will post more pictures and ideas.
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