LEGO Mindstorms User Manual
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LEGO Mindstorms User Manual

Mindstorms nxt robotics
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BUILD AND PROGRAM ROBOTS THAT DO WHAT YOU WANT!
LEGO
MINDSTORMS
®
®

User Guide

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  • Page 1: User Guide

    BUILD AND PROGRAM ROBOTS THAT DO WHAT YOU WANT! LEGO MINDSTORMS ® ® User Guide...
  • Page 2 MINDSTORMS.com You are now a part of the worldwide LEGO MINDSTORMS community. Log on to MINDSTORMS.com and get more robotic challenges. Download programs, sound effects and other cool stuff. Share your inventions and exchange tips and tricks with other MINDSTORMS users.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Build. Program. Go! ..........Building instructions ..........NXT TECHNOLOGY NXT technology overview ........Connecting the NXT technology ......About the NXT ............Installing batteries in your NXT ......NXT main menu ............Color Sensor & Color Lamp ........Touch Sensor ............

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Start kit you will find everything you need to get off to a great start. It will only take you a few minutes to create your first MINDSTORMS robot, test it, and get a fun reaction. The building instructions for your first...
  • Page 15 35 cm...

  • Page 16: Nxt Technology

    NXT TECHNOLOGY NXT TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW The NXT The NXT is an intelligent, computer-controlled LEGO ® brick and the brain of the MINDSTORMS ® robot. Touch Sensors Enables the robot to feel and react to its environment. Color Sensor Enables the robot to detect colors and light.

  • Page 17: Interactive Servo Motors

    NXT TECHNOLOGY Interactive Servo Motors Ensure that the robot moves with precision. Effects Standard port settings for sensors and motors To make your robot work correctly, the sensors and motors should be connected to specific input and out- put ports. Here are the standard port settings: Input ports Port 1: Touch Sensor Port 2:...

  • Page 18: Connecting The Nxt Technology

    NXT TECHNOLOGY CONNECTING THE NXT TECHNOLOGY Note that ALL of the black 6-wire cables can be used in both input and output ports, sensors and motors. To work, sensors MUST be attached to the input ports (1-4) and motors MUST be attached to the output ports (A-C).
  • Page 19 The USB connection must be made by an adult or under supervision of an adult. Connecting the NXT to a Macintosh with a USB cable Make sure that the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Software is installed before connecting your NXT to your Macintosh (see page 47). Turn on your NXT.

  • Page 20: About The Nxt

    NXT TECHNOLOGY ABOUT THE NXT The NXT is the brain of a MINDSTORMS ® robot. It’s an intelligent, USB port computer-controlled LEGO ® brick that lets a MINDSTORMS robot come Connect a USB cable to the USB port and down- load programs from your computer to the NXT (or alive and perform different operations.
  • Page 21 Light grey arrows: Used for moving left and right in the NXT menu. Note! A rechargeable battery pack is available for the Dark grey button: Clear/Go back NXT on www.shop.LEGO.com. Turning off your NXT Push the dark grey button repeatedly until you see the screen on the right.

  • Page 22: Installing Batteries In Your Nxt

    NXT TECHNOLOGY INSTALLING BATTERIES IN YOUR NXT Battery type • The NXT requires 6 AA/LR6 batteries to function properly. ÷ • Alkaline batteries are recommended. ÷ • Rechargeable batteries can be used, but the NXT’s power may be reduced, making the motors turn more slowly. ÷...

  • Page 23: Nxt Main Menu

    NXT TECHNOLOGY NXT MAIN MENU My Files The My Files submenu will let you see all of the programs you have made on the NXT or downloaded from your computer. Software files - programs NXT files - programs you Sound files Datalog files –...
  • Page 24 NXT TECHNOLOGY NXT Program You don’t need a computer to program your robot. Using the NXT Program submenu, you can make thousands of different programs without your computer. Try this simple program and see how easy it is: Make the robot go back and forth when its Touch Sensor is pressed. First, the robot will move forward until the Touch Sensor is pressed, and then it will move backwards.
  • Page 25 NXT TECHNOLOGY Select Touch again. Now select if you want the program to Now you can run your program. Loop. This means that the program will Simply select Run! run again and again until you switch off the NXT. For our little test, select Loop.
  • Page 26 NXT TECHNOLOGY Try Me The Try Me submenu lets you test your sensors and motors in a fun way: Connect the sensors and motors to the appropriate ports on the NXT. Important: Use the standard settings for the ports as explained on page Select a program.
  • Page 27 NXT TECHNOLOGY View The View submenu lets you carry out a quick test of your sensors and motors, observing real-time data from each unit. Connect the sensor or motor you would like to test to the NXT - the View submenu will help you select the right port or check standard settings on page Select View on the NXT’s display.
  • Page 28 NXT TECHNOLOGY Settings The Settings submenu lets you adjust the NXT’s settings including its speaker volume or the Sleep mode setting. This submenu will also let you delete programs that have been stored in the NXT’s memory. Sleep mode: You can set the NXT to turn itself off after 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes of inactivity (time when its not in use).
  • Page 29 NXT TECHNOLOGY Bluetooth The Bluetooth submenu will let you make a wireless connection between your NXT and other Bluetooth devices (like other NXTs, and computers). You can use a wireless Bluetooth connection to send programs to other NXTs, to download programs from your own computer without using a USB cable, or other cool things like using the Remote Control in the software to get direct control of your robot and send it on missions!

  • Page 30: Color Sensor & Color Lamp

    The Color Sensor can also be used as a Color Lamp. Suggestions for use You can use the Color Sensor to sort your LEGO ® bricks, or to make a robot that will follow a red line or change direction when it detects a red spot.
  • Page 31 NXT TECHNOLOGY Using the sensor as a Light Sensor It is possible to use the sensor for single light intensity read- ings. Setting the light color to Red the sensor functions as a Light Sensor. Using another light color (Green or Blue) can give different results.

  • Page 32: Touch Sensor

    NXT TECHNOLOGY TOUCH SENSOR The Touch Sensor gives your robot a sense of touch. The Touch Sensor detects when it is being pressed by something and when it is released again. Pressed Released Bumped Suggestions for use You can use the Touch Sensor to do a lot of things: if a robot has a Touch Sensor connected to a leg it can tell how far it has moved by counting how many times the Touch Sensor has been pressed.

  • Page 33: Ultrasonic Sensor

    NXT TECHNOLOGY ULTRASONIC SENSOR The Ultrasonic Sensor is the other sensor that gives your robot vision. The Ultrasonic Sensor enables the robot to see and detect objects. You can also use it to make your robot avoid obstacles, sense and meas- ure distance, and detect movement.

  • Page 34: Interactive Servo Motors

    NXT TECHNOLOGY INTERACTIVE SERVO MOTORS The three Servo Motors give your robot the ability to move. If you use the Move block in the software to program your motors, the two motors will automatically synchronize, so that your robot will move in a straight line. Built-in Rotation Sensor Each motor has a built-in Rotation Sensor.
  • Page 35 NXT TECHNOLOGY 1. The motor 2. Tachometer (Rotation Sensor) 3. Built-in gearing...

  • Page 36: Using Bluetooth

    NXT or even between tooth USB dongle. Read more about the your NXT and other NXTs. You can also different types of Bluetooth USB dongles establish a wireless connection between to use at www.MINDSTORMS.com/bluetooth your computer and your robot to control it remotely!
  • Page 37 Before you try to set up a wireless Bluetooth connection, make sure that your computer has Bluetooth capability. The LEGO NXT has a Class 2 Bluetooth radio. This will have a range of approximate 10 meters when used with a compatible Bluetooth device (class 1 or 2).
  • Page 38 NXT TECHNOLOGY Click Scan. Your computer will automatically search for Bluetooth devices. After a short interval, a list of available Bluetooth devices will appear in the window on the computer screen. Select the device you want to connect to and click the Connect button.
  • Page 39 NXT TECHNOLOGY Enter the passkey on your NXT and confirm the connection by pushing the orange (Enter) button. If you have chosen the default passkey, just click the orange (Enter) button. In the NXT window, the status of your NXT has now changed from Available to Connected.
  • Page 40 NXT TECHNOLOGY Click Scan. The Bluetooth device window will pop up on the screen. A list of Bluetooth devices will appear in the Select Bluetooth Device window on the screen. Select the device you want to connect to and click the Select button. The NXT that you want to connect to appears in the NXT window as available.
  • Page 41 NXT TECHNOLOGY The Pair with a Bluetooth Device window pops up. Select the NXT. Click Pair. When you connect to a device for the first time, a Passkey window will pop up. Enter the passkey to use with this device (the default passkey is 1234) and click OK. EIK - som s.
  • Page 42 NXT TECHNOLOGY BLUETOOTH SUBMENU ON NXT Bluetooth Search Select the Bluetooth submenu on the Search for other Bluetooth devices. After you have chosen the Search NXT display. icon, your NXT will automatically start to search for other Bluetooth devices that it can connect to. Connections My Contacts This item displays your current connections.
  • Page 43 NXT TECHNOLOGY You can also view the connection status in the NXT window in the Software. There you can change the name of your NXT, connect to other Bluetooth devices and check battery and memory levels. Check the connection status in the icon bar at the top of the NXT’s display.
  • Page 44 NXT TECHNOLOGY CONNECTING YOUR NXT TO ANOTHER NXT Select the Bluetooth submenu Select the Search icon to search for Depending on how many devices are on the NXT’s display. other Bluetooth devices. Your NXT will detected in the area, a list will pop up on automatically search for Bluetooth the NXT’s display after a few seconds.
  • Page 45 NXT TECHNOLOGY Connecting to more than one NXT You can connect up to three NXTs or other Bluetooth devices to your NXT at the same time. However, you can only communicate with one device at a time. Sending files from NXT to NXT It’s easy to send programs from your NXT to another NXT: Make sure that your NXT is connected to Select Send.

  • Page 46: Software

    *) Supported Bluetooth software are Widcomm® Bluetooth for Windows newer than v. 1.4.2.10 SP5 and the Bluetooth stacks included in Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or newer, Windows Vista or Vista latest Service Pack, Apple MacOS X 10.3.9, 10.4 and 10.5, see www.MINDSTORMS.com/bluetooth.
  • Page 47 Open the “LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT” CD-ROM and double-click Install. Select your preferred language. Follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation procedure is complete, click Finish. You are now ready to use the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Software and create programs for cool robotic inventions.

  • Page 48: Your First Program

    SOFTWARE YOUR FIRST PROGRAM This simple program will make the NXT play a sound file. It will help you understand how to connect your computer to the NXT. Start the software on your PC or Macintosh by double-clicking the program icon. Type in the name of your first program, or just click on Go! New Eik...
  • Page 49 SOFTWARE Drag a Sound block and drop it to the right of the Starting point in the work area. Your program is now ready to download and run. Make sure you turn on your NXT and connect the USB cable to both your computer and the NXT (see page 18, Connecting the NXT technology).

  • Page 50: Software User Interface

    SOFTWARE SOFTWARE USER INTERFACE A quick overview 1. Robo Center 2. My Portal Eik. 3. Tool bar January 4. Work area 5. Little help window 6. Work area map 7. Programming palette 8. Configuration panel 9. Controller 10. NXT window Eik.
  • Page 51 Robo Center window Here you can find building and programming instructions for four cool models. My Portal Access www.MINDSTORMS.com to get new models, programs, sounds, images, tips, and tricks and be part of the great MINDSTORMS community. The tool bar The tool bar provides additional tools enabling you to calibrate sensors, create custom sounds and im- ages for the NXT or create NXT files to share with other MINDSTORMS users.

  • Page 52: The Robo Center

    SOFTWARE THE ROBO CENTER In the Robo Center you will find different robot models that you can build and program to do what you want. Start by selecting a robot model to build and program. We recommend that you start with the ShooterBot as it is a continuation of the Quick Start model included in the box.

  • Page 53: The Programming Palette

    SOFTWARE Test your robot using the challenges provided. THE PROGRAMMING PALETTE The programming palette contains all of the programming blocks you will need to create your programs. Each programming block determines how your robot acts or reacts. By combining blocks in sequence, you can create programs that will make your robot come to life.
  • Page 54 SOFTWARE The three programming palettes To simplify its use, the programming palette has been divided into three palette groupings: the common palette (containing the most used blocks), the complete palette (containing all of the programming blocks), and the custom palette (containing blocks you download or create yourself).

  • Page 55: The Configuration Panel

    SOFTWARE THE CONFIGURATION PANEL Each programming block has a configuration panel that lets you adjust the settings of the block for the specific actions that you want. When a block is selected in the work area, its configuration panel will be visible at the bottom of the screen.

  • Page 56: Sound Editor

    SOFTWARE SOUND EDITOR The Sound Editor allows you to add your own sounds to the NXT. You can add sound files already stored on your computer*, or royalty-free files found on websites, and even record your own voice and download it to the NXT. You find the Sound Editor in the NXT You have the option to either import an You can also trim (cut) the size of your...

  • Page 57: Icon Editor

    SOFTWARE IMAGE EDITOR Using the Picture Editor you can create your own images or stored images and download them to the NXT, so they appear in the display on the NXT! You find the Picture Editor in the NXT To import your own picture to the In the Picture Editor you can change software under ‘Tools’...

  • Page 58: Remote Control

    SOFTWARE REMOTE CONTROL The Remote Control gives you direct control over your robot! You find the Remote Control in the NXT To take control of your robot you need You can press the arrow buttons on software under ‘Tools’ in the menu bar. to have a connection between your PC your keyboard or on screen with your Click on it to open it.

  • Page 59: Useful Information

    USEFUL INFORMATION TEST PAD Test all your models on this Test Pad. TEST PAD 8547 This is the starting point on the pad.

  • Page 60: Troubleshooting

    1. Make sure that your NXT is turned on. 2. Push the reset button that is located on the back of your NXT in the LEGO® Technic hole in the upper left corner. Use, for example, an unfolded paperclip to press the button.
  • Page 61 For other types of troubleshooting, go to www.MINDSTORMS.com/support FCC approval: The LEGO Group hereby declares that the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT (8547) complies with the requirements of the relevant provisions of EU Directive 1999/5/E. Under conditions in which static electricity might occur, the unit might switch itself to...

  • Page 62: Disposal Guide

    USEFUL INFORMATION...

  • Page 63: Element Overview

    4211573 4297188 4495932 4211375 370626 4211889 50 cm 370526 4297202 4297185 4211629 4292468 4119589 4297200 Customer Service 4211880 Kundenservice Service Consommateurs 4121715 Servicio Al Consumidor 4522939 www.lego.com/service or dial 4288099 4297210 4184169 : 00800 5346 5555 4297197 : 1-800-422-5346...
  • Page 64 Kísérletezöknek Haladóknak Profiknak BLUETOOTH is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to the LEGO Group. LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2009 The LEGO Group. 4520719-UK Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies...

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