LEGO Mindstorms NXT

by LEGO

• Intelligent brick with 32-bit microprocessor; more memory and flash
• Three interactive servo motors features built-in rotation sensors that aligns speed for precise control and new sound patterns and tones
• 577 specially selected LEGO TECHNIC elements for sturdy and durable building and improved functionality and movement
• Icon-based drag-and-drop program building environment
• 6 AA batteries required which is not included

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 15 x 15.1 inches ; 4.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000E4FDAE
• Item model number: 4494799
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 - 18 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,537 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

Sure, Mindstorms NXT is a toy, but it is an important toy, like a piano or a chemistry set. It's one of those items that engages an imagination and possibly opens doors to new interests. Since our future is surely to be shared with robots--it's already started happening, just look at Roomba--those robots will need, at least initially, humans to program and maintain them. Those people, years from now, will likely remember their experiences with Lego Mindstorms.

Out of the Box
The main part of the kit is the NXT itself. It's about the size of an iPod (though a bit thicker) with a a loudspeaker, a monochrome LCD, and navigation keys on the front. This is the controller for the robot--it's brain, if you will. It has three ports on top for connecting to the servo motors and four ports on the bottom for connecting to four different sensors: Touch, Light, Sound, and Ultrasonic (see detail below).

The NXT: the computer-controlled brain of the Mindstorms robot Touch Sensor: enables the robot to feel and react to its environment Sound Sensor: enables the robot to react to sound Light Sensor: can detect light and color Ultrasonic Sensor: allows the robot to measure distance and react to movement Servo Motors: ensures the robot moves with precision

The set includes Ethernet-like wires for connecting all of these to the NXT, as well as software and a basic USB cable for downloading programs from your computer. Then there are all the Lego parts, hundreds of them, and most are very small. It would be a good idea to get a plastic organizer for the different parts--it would not only make construction and storage easier but also part loss less likely.

Hitting the Bricks
The instructions for MNXT are simple, illustrated, and they gently take the new user on an introductory path through the system. The quick start guide promises a 30-minute robot building and programing intro, though for me it was closer to 50 (I'm a little old and slow). It starts with a simple diagnostic routine which shows you how to test the function of all sensors, then proceeds to step-by-step picture instructions for building a basic first robot. It's about as complex as building a piece of Ikea furniture.

Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects.

Next, I installed the software. Be sure to check the system requirements (below). The software is well-designed and very intuitive. It comes with built-in video instructions on how to create your first simple program and download it to your NXT.

Bringing It To Life
Programming is the real gem in this system. It has a drag-and-drop interface using pre-programmed objects that you pull from a palette and snap to other objects. Each object is configurable. For example, the Sound object brings up a sub-window that allows you to choose between a tone and a list of sound files, set the volume, set duration, and so on. Little Lego bricks between the objects reinforce the idea that building a NXT program is like building a Lego model. Programming this way is much easier than, say, creating a web page from scratch. Lego even offers a software development kit for getting deeper into the programming.

Mindstorms NXT "challenges" from top: Tribot, RoboArm, and Spike.

There comes a genuine thrill from seeing something you've created--even something simple and silly as my first program--come to life in a robot. It's akin to seeing yourself on TV for the first time. I played that program a dozen times.

The software contains "challenges," which are similar step-by-step instructions for creating and programming more complex models, such as a robotic arm that can "perform simple tasks and react to different colors." Each challenge is divided into smaller tasks with step-by-step building, programming, and testing guides for each task.

Accessing your latest program once it's downloaded to the NXT is pretty easy. Lego has set it up so that you can execute it by pressing the big orange center button four times in a row after start-up. I was surprised to find out that you don't need a computer to program the NXT. You can program directly into the NXT Program submenu.

Bluetooth Ready
The NXT also has built-in Bluetooth wireless technology. If your computer has Bluetooth, you can test and download programs to the NXT without connecting the USB cable--a really handy feature if you're programming a complicated dance routine and you don't want your robot getting tripped up in cables. If your phone or PDA has Bluetooth, you might be able to use your device to control the robot. Best of all, Bluetooth allows you to create a network of up to three NXT devices. Think of the possibilities: three NXTs plus three sets of blocks and sensors equals bigger, more complex robots.

My one and only complaint is that I wish the sensors had more "studs," those little round parts that allows Lego bricks to interlock. --Porter B. Hall

Product Description

Bow to the next generation of LEGO Mindstorms - now, with a 32-bit processor, redesigned sensors, Bluetooth and more.

Features:

• LEGO's newest robot-building kit, with greatly improved functionality
• 32-bit command center with large LCD, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth interfaces that allow robots to walk, talk and interact with their environment
• Technic blocks ("studless legos") create a more human, less boxy look
• Intuitive GUI and drag-and-drop icons are PC- and Mac-friendly
• Redesigned touch and light sensors, new sound sensor and ultrasonic sensor
• Now with three motors - redesigned for smoother, more reliable operation
• 6-wire digital cables for more precise connections
• 5 main themes (8 different models) - Vehicle: Roverbot, Animal, Scorpio; Machine: Robotic Arm; Human: Humanoid; Gadgets: Clock, Music, Game and Movers
• Models are all built within the LEGO Technic System

Includes:

• 577 pieces
• Quickstart Guide helps you build a robot ready for action within 30 minutes
• Model-specific building instructions, tips and tricks, testing methods and programming options
• Easy-to-use software
• Test panel

The power of the LEGO building system, an intelligent command center and easy-to-use, drag and drop programming software unleash the power of your robot-building imagination.

Safety warning: This product contains small parts that may present a choking hazard for young children.

See all Product Description

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

217 of 223 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive evolution for MindStorms June 28, 2006

By Dylan MCNAMEE

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

My NXT set just arrived by FedEx this afternoon. I'm a parent of two (6 and 3-year old) so this is mainly for me for now. I was an early adopter of the first generation of Mindstorms, so naturally I pre-ordered the NXT. I've played with it for two hours, so these are my initial impressions:

- the new motors are Wonderful -- they work as motors or servos (you tell them which angle to go to). They look futuristic and robot-y

- it comes with an ultrasound distance sensor -- whoa that's neat!

- All of the sensors are "slick-looking", and seem to work very well.

- the brick display is quite nice, but the interface is a bit niggly. Lots of nested menus. My 3 year-old managed to delete the built in demo program by button twiddling. It was easy to restore, though.

- the box itself (the "out of box experience") is disappointing. You have to punch out some quarter-circles to allow it to hinge, but they're poorly serrated, so the tears come out ugly. The inner boxes are hard to open so you end up messing those up. In short, the previous mindstorms box was a great long-term storage solution. This one is going in the trash. As a first impression, it's pretty poor.

- back to the good: there's a "quick-start guide" that gets you building a simple robot that is run by a built in demo program. It's perfect: not difficult, but not trivial -- it makes noises and moves around. The kids were enchanted.

- the "powered by LabView" programming environment seems halfway between the nerd-y LabView system that you could buy from Dacta and the totally bozo thing bundled with the old Mindstorms. It doesn't have that "rocket scientist" feel of the old LabView environment, which is both good (it's more self-guided) and bad (I don't see how to zoom out so that I can see complex programs all at once, for example.

All in all, this thing is very impressive, has lots of staying power, and since it supports MacOS X, I'll actually use it, and will most likely pull out my old MindStorms and combine parts. Thanks, Lego -- keep up the great work!

226 of 237 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great toy! But, an even better learning tool. July 20, 2006

By Donal B. Botkin

I built my first robot out of a cardboard box (I was inside) and, at the time that was pretty much the same way they did it on TV and in the movies. We've come a long way since then!

My entry point to the NXT robotic platform was in search of a faster, easier way of implementing remote sensing and data accumulation. I had been working with Crossbow motes, but found their "programming" tedious and non-intuitive. I checked out LabView first ($1,000 for the base level) and figured that for a quarter of that price I would get a taste of the software plus ready-to-use sensors and servomotors. I was pleased beyond my most optimistic expectations!

I won't repeat the other reviews other than to say that the first "rover" was done in less than 30 minutes (once I figured out that its parts were in the smaller box labeled "open me first") and I am a long way from being a Lego wizard.

What I want to do is clear up some of the confusion that might result from reading other reviewers' remarks about the software: for its intended purpose, the LabView "lite" is perfect. And what is that purpose, you might wonder: to enable kids ages 8+ to actually write robotics code, take measurements and control motion.

In contrast to "left-brained" logic with typed instructions (e.g. C/C++, BASIC, etc.) this is "right-brained" symbolic, intuitive programming. You don't have to write code for a "do loop", just drag a "loop block" and it will "do" what is needed. Variables? Just drag a "wire" from block to block and the data will be where you need it. Interrupts? You can have multiple threads and each can be waiting for specific data and react when it appears. Debug? Okay, it's trial and error, but the trials are short and the errors easy to fix.

As for execution speed of the compiler, I tried it on both a Mac and a PC (both about 1GHz and latest software, etc.) and found the PC to be significantly slower and quirkier but still very easy to use. (note: the install on my PC was a real pain, but trivial on the Mac)

Now for the good (read "geek") part: the Lego folks are making the SDK's for the processor and the Bluetooth interface available soon and there are alternative ways to create programs for the brick even now using C/C++ like instructions. The processor is ARM-based (it's everywhere, it's everywhere!) so writing assembler is not out of the question as there are plenty of tools available.

BUT! Don't fault Lego for not making kids learn assembler or C++ or for not making the memory 1GB rather than 256K. It's a toy!

Yeah right, a way cool toy. . ..

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very fun introduction into robotics. Great for kids AND adults August 7, 2006

By Jeffrey Heaton VINE™ VOICE

Lego has again released a ground breaking product. This is a great way for anyone to get into robotics. No tools are necessary, not even a screwdriver. Everything is built using lego blocks. These are not the lego blocks that you might be used to. They are not the studded ones that snap together. These are Technic blocks ("studless legos"), which create a more human, less boxy look.

Everything talks to the central computer, which is called a "brick". It is maybe 1/4th the size of a "real brick". It has ports to connect to the four sensors and three servo motors. Additionally, the brick can connect to a computer using USB or bluetooth.

The three motors are controlled using your own programs. You have a great deal of control, you can specify the exact angle a motor should move. Also programming is easy, using a visual block-dragging software application. It works great on both Mac and Windows.

The four sensors are very cool.

Ultrasonic sensor: Can detect distance and movement. The distance sensor is very cool and can make for some cool programs.

Light sensor: Can detect brightness and color. The robot can be programmed to pickup only the blue or red ball, which is included.

Push sensor: Detects when something bumps against it. This is basically just a toggle switch.

Sound sensor: Detects the volume and tone of sound.

Lego gives you a number of plans to follow, as well as some basic plans to build off of. For example, the crawler and driver platforms allow you to start with either an "insect" or "car" type robot.

The brick takes 6 double A batteries. Rechargables work well.