10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour [Illustrated] [Paperback]

David Astolfo (Author), Stephen Cavers (Author), Kevin Clague (Author), CS Soh (Author), Larry Whitman (Author), Tonya Witherspoon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1931836604 | ISBN-13: 978-1931836609 | Edition: 1

LEGO MINDSTORMS lets you design and program robots that can do just about anything!
You've just purchased the LEGO MINDSTORMS Ultimate Builder Kit. Now what? Overwhelmed by the creative possibilities? The Builder Kit is targeted towards those who want to become "master LEGO builders."

10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORM Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour provides step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations for users of all skill levels and proficiencies. This MINDSTORMS kit features many rare parts, a spare motor, a turntable, special gears, transparent beams, and even a pneumatics system-parts that can be confusing and that will be new to many LEGO builders. 10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORM Ultimate Builder Projects teaches readers how to incorporate these new features into their creations as they build 10 unique robots.

From out of the box to up and running in less than an hour. This book teaches users how to create 10 amazing projects in under an hour.
8-page color insert. An eight-page color insert will illustrates the complete projects in full-detail.
Specifically targeted to both new users of the LEGO MINDSTORMS and experienced MINDSTORMS fans.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mario Ferrari received his first Lego box around 1964, when he was 4. Lego was his favorite toy for many years, until he thought he was too old to play with it. In 1998, the Lego Mindstorms RIS set gave him reason to again have Lego become his main addiction. Mario believes Lego is the closest thing to the perfect toy. He is Managing Director at EDIS, a leader in finishing and packaging solutions and promotional packaging. The advent of the MINDSTORMS product line represented for him the perfect opportunity to combine his interest in IT and robotics with his passion for LEGO bricks, which started during his early childhood. Mario has been a very active member of the online MINDSTORMS community from the beginning and has pushed LEGO robotics to its limits. Mario holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Turin and has always nourished a strong interest for physics, mathematics, and computer science. He is fluent in many programming languages and his background includes positions as an IT manager and as a project supervisor. Mario estimates he owns over 60,000 Lego pieces. Mario works in Modena, Italy, where he lives with his wife Anna and his children Sebastiano and Camilla.

Giulio Ferrari is a student in Economics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, where he also studied Engineering. He is fond of computers and has developed utilities, entertainment software, and Web applications for several companies. Giulio discovered robotics in 1998, with the arrival of MINDSTORMS, and held an important place in the creation of the Italian LEGO community. He shares a love for LEGO bricks with his oldest brother Mario, and a strong curiosity for the physical and mathematical sciences. Giulio also has a collection of 1200 dice, including odd-faced dice and game dice. He studies, works, and lives in Modena, Italy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Syngress; 1 edition (September 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931836604
• ISBN-13: 978-1931836609
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Computer Mathematics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wish it Were Better, January 28, 2010

By 

G. Sims "Husker" (Nebraska, Home of the Huskers) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour (Paperback)

The following review was written by Ben, one of my 4th graders. He has used this book in class to build some of the robots:

Pros: cool robots, nice designs, easy to find most pieces

Cons: Takes a while to build them, sometimes they don't work

This book has very cool robots but I don't like the directions because it just shows you a picture of the how it is supposed to look, but doesn't give step by step instructions. My favorite robot is the Sumo Bug. This robot is basic and cool. This book includes 10 robots including the WideBot, Sumo Bug, hopper, HunterBot, Nessie, Nellie, Domino bot, Draw bridge, Candy Wrapper Compactor, and the Robo-Hominid.

All of the robots are fairly easy to build. You will find most of the pieces easy to find. However there are some pieces that might be hard to find. On the Widebot's base you will need a piece that is not included in the blue Lego Mindstorms 2.0 kits. There is also a piece on the grabber motor on the Hunter bot that does not come with the kits. Over all I give this book four stars.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book. I wish it was B/W, August 3, 2008

By 

R. Brayer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour (Paperback)

lego manuals without Colors are like the ocean without water.

The book is nice but I am not going to buy another B & W lego book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great projects to get you started., November 5, 2009

By 

Mech Gadget (Derby KS) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour (Paperback)

The best way is to learn from the past. Make these projects and you will have a firm basis for making your own variations and new projects.