With the Mindstorms NXT 8547, you can foresee, build and program your own robot. But that's not everything...
Over time you'll learn new methods of building your machines and new ways of programming them, so you can get them to do some surprising things. The only limitation is your imagination.
You likely will not go on to construct the next Robocop or Terminator, but with all the things you can do with it, you'll never get bored.
It’s a hefty price tag for a Christmas present, however for a gift you can go on using forever, the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is certainly worth it.
Who Is The Mindstorms NXT 8547 Set For
The Mindstorms set is designed for all who are more than ten years old. The instructions for making and programming your 1st few robots are really quite simple to follow.
Of course, anyone hearing the world 'programming' is likely to think it's going to be complex, but it can be as easy as just a few clicks of the mouse on your pc.
A younger audience will surely be able to discover their own way to enjoy playing with their robots, whereas the die-hard robotics fan can indulge in advanced programs that can play naughts and crosses and even solve a Rubik's cube.
What’s Inside The Package?
The LEGO Mindstorms NXT comes with a total of six hundred and nineteen pieces. These include an assortment of sensors, connectors, wheels, rods and beams.
Primary Constructing Blocks
Mindstorms has a different look from LEGO, due to its basic unit being a beam instead of the LEGO brick, making it feel a bit like Maccano. But Mindstorms isn't like Meccano, as you don't need to use any extra instruments to put the beams together.
Because there are quite a few pieces that look similar, it may be a little difficult at first and perhaps somewhat frustrating trying to find the pieces that you need. But after some time you'll know where to find just what you need and what it looks like, so it'll take you no time at all to make those robots.
Motors x3
These motors will cause your robots movements.
The Sensory Units
The sensors will allow your machine to obtain data about its surroundings. Here are the sensors that the Legos Mindstorm NXT is equipped with…
1. A sensor that detects light, which gives your robot the ability to see different shades of light and even detect colors.
2. A sensor for kinesthetic input, that enables your robot to 'feel.' No I'm not talking about emotions, but rather about touch. Your robot can be triggered to do something when you or something else touches it..
3. A sound sensor, which responds to audio input from the surroundings.
4. An ultrasound sensory unit that makes use of echolocation, so your robot can decide how far away it is from an object such as a wall.
The Intelligent Brick Of NXT
Your Mindstorms set's head, a central processing unit that takes in information from the sensors, interprets the programming you apply, and depending on what programming you put in, causes the robot to carry out an action by controlling the three motors, whether this is through the robot going forward, driving around on its wheels, pouring water/drinks into a cup.... & the list continues.
User Manual
The instruction manual Booklet is an brilliant way for you to learn how to produce your first few robots, with easy steps on how to create 4 robots of progressive difficulty.
When you've mastered these four models, you can then go on to experiment with novel machines of your own choosing. You can also purchase separate guides (yes, whole guides published just on the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0) that demonstrate how to construct more complicated robots with far superior programming.
Be warned though, you may face some frustration from not having enough pieces to construct absolutely anything you want. Fortunately the Lego Technique range uses the same unit, and you can always get a Lego Technique set if you need the parts. Lego was designed to fit together.
Where Do They Have The Lowest Prices For The Mindstorms Set?