The Robotic Realm

FLL - Food Factor: NYC FIRST Tournament...

2012-01-30T13:53:00.016-05:00

NYC FIRST Tournament
2012

They're Going to Javits!

655 West 34th Street New York

FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Winners

Bronx Qualifier

Champions Awards

1st - 2031 - Knights of The Rectangular Table - Riverdale Country School

Performance

1st - 814 - Niles - MS 118

Core Values

Teamwork - 7228 - Robotronics - Bronx Prep Charter School

Inspiration - 4112 - HM Lions - Horace Mann

Gracious Professionalism - 11676 - Bronx Brilliant Engineers - Young Athletes Association Mechanical

Robot Design

Mechanical Design - 5654 - Robo Rockets - RoboMindTech

Programming - 7047 - Ridder Kids - IS98

Strategy and Innovation - 4672 - Techno Tigers - PS/MS 194

Research Project

Research - 7205 - Bronx Task Force - Good Shepherd Services

Presentation - 13571 - Bengal Tigerbots - PS 55

Innovative Solution - 553 - CS 66 Brats - CS 66

Note the 2 teams below advanced because the 2 champions are also winners of the performance rounds so the next 2 performance round winners who did not place are advanced to round of the team advancement to 13

Qualifier No.1 - Team 13837 - The Molecules - PS 195
Qualifier No 2 - Team 2964 - The 76ers - PS 76

Manhattan Qualifier

Champions Award

1st - 4803 Alien Pi - The Dalton School

2nd - 6216 Raging Tigers - The Trinity School

3rd - 13464 Fruit Fighters - NYC Lab Middle School

Robot Design

Mechanical Design - 12718 Chelsea Transformers - Chelsea Prep Academy

Programming - 6819 Chapin Bots 2 - The Chapin School

Strategy & Innovation - 13865 Robo Rodeo - The Dalton School

Core Values

Inspiration - 11841 Thunderbots - Metropolitan Montessori School

Teamwork - 2984 Hunters to be Hunted - Hunter College High School
Gracious Professionalism - 2982 Angry Nerds - Hunter College High School

Research Project

Research - 11831 Digital Pride - The Gateway Middle School

Innovative Solution - 5448 Columbia Craft Crammers - Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

Presentation - 10271 BISNY - British International School of New York

Rising Star: - 3609 MATbots - P.S. 126

Performance

1st - 12719 Chelsea Robot Rulers - P.S. 33 Chelsea Prep Academy

2nd - 1869 DROIDMakers - The Inwood Academy for Leadership

3rd - 6818 Chapin Bots 1 - The Chapin School

Brooklyn Qualifier

Champions Award
1st - P.S. 399 Gear Hawk
2nd - M.S. 113 Falcon Robotic Allstars
3rd - I.S. 383 Skybots

Robot Design

Mechanical Design - M.S. 821 Lego My Eggo
Programming
1st - P.S. 94 Master Blasters
2nd - P.S. 11 Mission 11
Strategy and Innovation
1st - P.S. 94 Megaminds
2nd - P.S. 256 Banneker Bots

Robot Performance
1st - P.S. 94, Team: Master Blasters
2nd - P.S. 821, Team: Lego My Eggo
3rd - P.S. 94, Team: Megaminds

Core Values

Gracious Professionals - Packer Collegiate Institute Swedish Chef2 2
Inspiration - P.S. 9 Bacteria Terminators
Teamwork - Team [x]

Project Research

Research
1st - Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women Super Novas
2nd - P.S. 58 Brick Boyz
Innovation
1st - P.S. 58 Germinators
2nd - P.S. 321 Lego-nauts
Presentation - P.S. 233 LegoMinds

Judges’ Award - St. Edmunds Elementary School The Nerd Herd

Against All Odds Awards - Fort Greene Preparatory Academy Nano Wolves

Rising Stars- P.S. 3, RoboTigers

Queens Qualifier
TBA

Staten Island Qualifier
TBA

Special Shout-Out!

to
L3GoBots Lady's team & mentee teams

Congrats!

RoboGbots

Chapin Bots 1

Chapin Bots 2

Raging Tigers

Lego-nauts
Team (X)

LEGO Tech & Robotics: It's the Year of the Girls...

2012-01-04T12:47:00.008-05:00

The Chinese New Year is January 23, 2012. It is the year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

However, at the LEGO(R) Group, it’s the year of the girls!

LEGO in its efforts to get more girls involved in LEGO building has come out with a new line of kits for girl interests. In addition to their “Belville,”(ages 5-10) and their “Pink Brick Boxes – Duplo and regular bricks,”(2-5); there is now “Creative Cakes (Duplo) and “Friends” (6-12). Of course, the girls can also build cars, castles, and spaceships (there are a few female minifigures in those kits too).

P.S. Congratulations Emma W. for her "Golden Sea Chest" winning in the LEGO Cool Creations Pirates of the Caribbean Building Challenge!

Girls are also building and programming the LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots. There is an increasing number of girl participation in the FIRST robotics competitions around the world. Girl Scout teams, all girl school teams, and private all girl teams are competing in the FIRST LEGO League (ages 8-14), FIRST Tech Competition (HS), and FIRST Robotics (HS).

In the NYC regional, here are few that will be competing (if you know the names of other ALL-Girl teams, please send it to brics2bots@gmail.com so they can be listed:

roboGbots – Brics~2~Bots Academy & RoboMindTech Center (my team)

The Young Womens’ Leadership School

The Chapin School

Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women

See at the Boro Qualifiers and Javits!

Happy New Year: 2012...

2012-01-01T21:59:00.000-05:00

]-[ /-\ PP `/ * ]\[ 3 W * `/ 3 /-\ R!

2012

The Cult of LEGO...

2011-12-07T14:15:00.001-05:00

Just in time for the holidays!

The Cult of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno - No Starch Press, 2011 gives us a peek into the world of AFOLs, Adult Fans Of LEGO(R) ; yes, they do exist and are growing in number. The book is copiously illustrated with color photographs of amazing models built by some of the most renowned AFOL fans and professionals. For the AFOL it is a must have book for their LEGO book collection and for the non-AFOLs this book beautifully explains what this LEGO world is about.

The book starts off with a brief History of LEGO Group; where it all started. The second chapter answers the questions: who are AFOLs, how do they evolve, and where are they found? One of the things I like about the book is that it also showcases the women AFOLs as well; there are a few of us.

The chapter Minifig Mania is all about those little LEGO people, minifigures, from controversy to famous people – minisized.

(Re)creating Icons shows how LEGO builders are using the brick to represent objects, buildings, people, even classic art as brick art. The next few chapters take the reader into the fascinating world of AFOLs building styles: Building with Imagination, LEGO Art, Telling Stories, Micro/Macro, and Digital Brickage; where science fiction, fantasy, art, and expression reveal the creative and remarkable talent of AFOLs.

As a LEGO Mindstorms robotics instructor and builder, I especially appreciate the chapter on LEGO Robotics: Building Smart Models. This chapter shows how LEGO robotics has taken LEGO building into a new realm with its biggest influence on education and future careers.

The final chapter, Serious LEGO, reveals how a toy of fantasy has become a tool in the real world to solve problems of human design and machines.

Check out the video @ Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Cult-LEGO-John-Baichtal/dp/1593273916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323283857&sr=8-1

Give this book to a LEGO(R) fan (or suspected closeted fan), they will love you for it!

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Science and Math Robotics Training...

2011-12-01T09:43:00.001-05:00

Science-and-Math-Geared Robotics Training

free, 6 hours, hands-on, informative training for teachers

Through this training you will gain the skills to:

• enrich your classroom time with engaging, kid-friendly activities and demonstrations
• design and build robotic devices as an engineer
• master implementing use of sensors in science and math lab activities
• program with LEGO Digital Designer and Mindstorms software.

No previous robotics experience is necessary! You will also learn about existing science and math activities and gain access to everything you learned during the training. There is only one condition: since space is limited, only teachers with no experience in robotics are qualify to attend.

If you are planning to attend this crash-course/robotics training, please, choose a date that best fits your personal schedule at www.doodle.com/2m4yavc2z3y2bhsc. The training will take place at Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Six Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY on Saturday December 10th or December 17th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Feel free to contact Irina Igel with any questions at ira_igel@yahoo.com.

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JrFLL - Snack Attack: NYC Registration...

2011-11-22T10:01:00.013-05:00

NYC Jr. FLL

Feb. 11, 2012

10am

@

Polytechnic Institute of NYU

MetroTech Center Brooklyn, NY 11201

Registration is Still Open!
(Registration is limited to 24 teams)

Contact: Keith Wynne kwynne.science@gmail.com

FLL - Food Factor: What to Bring to the Competition...

2011-11-17T12:59:00.000-05:00

So what should you bring to a FIRST LEGO League competition event???

• Robot and attachments

• Signed Consent and Release forms - English/ Spanish

• Parts kit

• Print out of programs and robot specification page

• Materials, props, and equipment needed for Project presentation

• Laptop computer with batteries and/or AC adaptor, extra batteries,

extension cords

• Team scrapbook

• Team banner, posters, or other decorations for pit space

• Snacks and drinks

• Storage box for personal items

• USB cable (NXT) or IR tower (RCX)

• Programming garage (only for RCX)

• Team introduction page

• Fun, inexpensive gifts to share with other teams (pins, hats,

personalized, team playing cards)

and don't forget,

Enthusiasm & Team Spirit!

FLL - Food Factor: NYC Queens Qualifier...

2011-11-14T20:33:00.001-05:00

NYC FIRST LEGO League Queens Qualifier

Saturday January 28th, 2011 8:30am-3:30pm

JHS 216: 64-20 175th Street, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

All teams must register in advance by filling out the Registration form and mailing in payment.

You must participate in this event to be eligible for the citywide at the Jacob Javits Center

Registration dates: Nov. 9 - January 10. $40 Per Team Payable to: George J Ryan MS 216, please mail check with team number to: above address ATTN: Peter Xanthus.

Team capacity: 40.

You will be registered in the order in which your forms are received.

Registration is not complete until the attached form AND the check is received at Ryan Middle School.
IF YOU HAVE DECIDED NOT TO PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR LET US KNOW ASAP
Tournament Contacts: Peter Xanthus: pt...@aol.com, (718) 358-2005

FLL - Food Factor: NYC Brooklyn Qualifier...

2011-11-08T14:48:00.005-05:00

The 2012 FLL Brooklyn Qualifier will be held:

Saturday January 14th, 2012 8:00am-4:00pm

Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Brooklyn Campus.

Directions: http://www.poly.edu/node/463

You must participate in this event to be eligible for the citywide competition at the Jacob Javits Center in March

Registration Date: Nov. 8th -Dec 22nd

Registration is not complete until the form and payment has been received.

Registration Fee: $40 Per Team

You will be registered in the order in which your payment has been received.

Checks are payable to: Polytechnic Institute of NYU/FIRST

Please mail check(s) or Money Order(s) with team number(s) to:

Polytechnic Institute of NYU

Attn: Susan Hermon Room JB257A

6 MetroTech Center Brooklyn, NY 11201

You can also make payments by credit card at the registration link below

*The team capacity is 45 we have 53 registered teams, if you would like to participate at another borough qualifier please send me an email shermon@poly.edu indicating which borough qualifier:*

Manhattan and Bronx Saturday, Jan. 21^st (limited availability)

Staten Island Sunday, Feb. 5^th

*Once capacity has been filled and/or you have not registered by the deadline you will automatically be assigned to an available qualifier.*

*IF YOU HAVE DECIDED NOT TO PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR LET ME KNOW ASAP*

Tournament Contact: Susan Hermon: shermon@poly.edu, (718) 260-3524 please contact me with any questions and/or concerns.

Please register at the link below:

http://www.poly.edu/node/4405

FLL - Food Factor: Robot Awards...

2011-11-01T17:04:00.008-04:00

This year the Robot Awards are divided into Robot Performance – Design – Programming – Innovation & Strategy.

For the Design, Programming, and Innovation Awards team members will present their robot with attachments (must be the one used in the Game Performance) to a panel of judges. They should explain the design (using technical terminology), how the robot and attachments work, explain the programming, an example of using strategy, and give a demonstration of the robot in action.

As stated in Rule 4:

ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
If using the NXT, "you are allowed a maximum of six non-rotation sensors in the competition area. Choose your favorite combination from among the LEGO-manufactured Mindstorms touch sensors, light sensors, color sensors (LEGO RGB color), and ultrasonic sensors."

For using the RCX:
RCX robots are allowed, with a max of eight sensors from among touch, rotation, and light.

However, there are no restrictions on the quantities or sources of non-electric LEGO(R) elements, except that factory-made wind-up/pull-back “motors” are not allowed. Pneumatic elements are allowed.

Please read the Complete Challenge PDF Document: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor under "robot game - rules, procedures, philosophies and definitions"

So be CREATIVE!

Use elements/parts of different colors and types from any of the LEGO(R) kits (the Technic series is a good source). If you have an old RCX kit you may use the non-electric elements, as well as, motors and sensors - provided that you do not exceed the limitations of allowable motors and sensors (Rule 4 – Equipment).

Consumer versions of NXT-G software do not have the RCX blocks. Old Educational versions of NXT-G do have RCX blocks for the motor & sensors. The new Educational 2.1 & Consumer versions of NXT-G will program the RCX motor & the touch sensor with its own blocks, but the light sensor only reads around 55 brightness**

Gearing is impressive & very useful. The use of sensors is definitely a plus with the judges and this year's Game Performance challenge has a lot of opportunities for sensor use.

LEt’s GO teams!

FLL - Food Factor: NXT Robot & Software Resource...

2011-09-26T09:14:00.006-04:00

Websites/Books for the NXT User

V. “LeGo-Bots Lady” Greene

2011

http://mindstorms.lego.com/ - NXT

http://www.wonderhowto.com/related/program-movements-in-the-lego-mindstorms-nxt-system/from-79056/ - Programming videos

http://www.ortop.org/NXT_Tutorial/index.html - Programming videos

http://learn.cs2n.org/ - Free online FLL Programming Training

http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/9797-1 - NXT elements

http://www.legoeducation.com - Purchasing kits & parts

Building & Programming ideas

http://mindstorms.lego.com/NXTLOG/default.aspx - 100s of models & program ideas

http://ldd.lego.com/download/default.aspx - Free designer software for LEGO models & NXT

http://www.nxtprograms.com/ - Models, building instructions, & programs

http://legoengineering.com/component/docman/ - Building instructions & programs

FLL Tournament:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll - FLL home page

http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/robotgameupdates - Updated Rulings

Books:

Kelly, James Floyd. LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G Programming Guide.2^nd edition Berkley, CA: Apress, 2010. $24.95

Griffin, Terry. The Art of LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G Programming. San Francisco, CA: No Starch Press, 2010. $29.95.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Kelly, James & Daudelin, Jonathan. FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide. San Francisco, CA: No Starch Press, 2008. $25.

Trrobaugh, James J. Winning Design! LEGO Mindstorms NXT: Design Patterns for Fun & Competition. Berkley, CA: Apress, 2010. $29.99

FLL - Food Factor: Missions Scorer App...

2011-09-24T17:28:00.008-04:00

Last year a great App for "iDevices" was made available to score the missions in the Game Performance of the FIRST LEGO League Competition.

The new App for this year's competition "Food Factor" is now available. Looking at this year's, somewhat complex, scoring rules & conditions, this App is going to be a very valuable tool! It lets you score, time, save & e-mail your missions score, links to the FIRST website for info, rules, Game updates & Project page. Price for this wonderful tool... 99 cents.

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FLL - Food Factor: LEGO Digital Robot Design...

2011-09-17T02:37:00.005-04:00

One of the objectives of FIRST is to expose young people to the possibilities of engineering and technology. The LEGO® Digital Designer is an excellent way to introduce kids to the world of Computer Aided Design. FLL and FTC teams can design attachments made with the Mindstorms NXT kit, print out pictures of it, and view or print out the steps for the best way of building the attachment. It is a free download-able program from www.lego.com, so team members who happen to have a brain-storm at home, can download it to their computer, design their idea, and bring in the results to the team at the next meeting.

It is a great tool for designing attachments, or even an entire NXT robot, while teaching young people another technological skill.

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FLL - Food Factor: Color Sensor...

2011-09-17T02:27:00.006-04:00

It's official...

The HiTechnic/LEGO color sensor MAY NOT be used in the FIRST LEGO League competition!

The LEGO RGB color sensor is the one that is allowed to be used:

Omni-Wheels forn NXT - Update...

2011-09-16T21:33:00.011-04:00

Omni-Wheels for the Mindstorms® NXT robot hobbyist...

is NOW AVAILABLE from

http://www.rotacaster.com.au/robot-wheels.html

However, a creative alternative...

If you happen to have a pair of Tetrix® Omni Wheels you can adapt them to work on your NXT robot. The Tetrix® Omni Wheel attaches to the Tetrix DC drive motor or uses a metal axle to attach it to the metal frame of the robot, but it can be adapted to attach to the NXT Interactive Servo Motor or as a free moving wheel attached to a Technic beam. It's excellent as a third wheel (see above photo).

The Omni Wheels can also be doubled for more stability & traction.

This Omni Wheel can be ordered from LEGO® Education; come as a pair of wheels, one spacer, and four screws. However, I used two of the 3/8" Butt Head Screws, and two 1/2" Socket Head Cap Screws.

NOTE: The Omni Wheel from Rotacaster is NOT allowed in FIRST competitions. The Omni Wheel from LEGO® Education is used in the FTC competition, which uses the Tetrix® and Mindstorms® NXT® kits to build their robot. Sorry FLL teams, this wheel can not be used in the FLL competition - yet! (:-)

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Remembering 9/11...

2011-09-11T11:41:00.005-04:00

May we never forget the heroes and innocent people who lost their lives that horrific day!

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FLL - Food Factor: New Rulings...

2011-09-03T12:48:00.013-04:00

Take Note:

There are new rulings concerning Robot Design...

In the Complete Challenge PDF Document: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor under "robot game - rules, procedures, philosophies and definitions" - 4- Equipment:

ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
You are allowed a maximum of six non-rotation sensors in the competition area. Choose your favorite combination from among the LEGO-manufactured Mindstorms touch sensors, light sensors, color sensors (LEGO RGB color), and ultrasonic sensors.

This is in reference to the NXT Mindstorms, any combination folks, and yes, there are only 4 Input ports on an NXT. Hmm, think creatively folks and it does say "in the competition area." (hint, hint, :-)

For using the RCX:
RCX robots are allowed, with a max of eight sensors from among touch, rotation, and light.

Also, be sure to download the awards descriptions, there is a change in the Awards:

http://firstlegoleague.org/event/judging

Remember to keep up with the clarification of or new rulings:

http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/robotgameupdates

LEt's GO Teams!

FLL - Food Factor: Kick-Off...

2011-09-02T21:47:00.006-04:00

It's Official!

2011-2012
FLL Challenge

has been released

go to

http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor

download the complete challenge

Robot Game Updates
bookmark this site

http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/robotgameupdates

i.am.FIRST Science on ABC - Something Was Missing...

2011-07-29T22:57:00.026-04:00

Reee-Bot your Roving Reporter here...

I just finishing watching “i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll.” I was very disappointed. I thought the program was promoting FIRST, ALL of FIRST. They made it look as if FIRST is just high school, which only has about 2,072 FRC teams & 1,607 FTC teams; compared to the 17,100 FLL teams and 2,147 JrFLL! True it was only an hour-long show, but technically half of the show should have been about the JrFll & FLL. Was the point of the show to just get more students involved on the high school level???

Really, the growth of FIRST on the HS level will depend on the kids coming up through the JrFLL & FLL, they will be the future FTC & FRC. I felt they “dissed” the JrFLL & FLL, and undermined the important role they play in FIRST.

This is...

FIRST @ Javitz Center - NYC

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Inventor's Guide....

2011-05-11T19:29:00.002-04:00

The Unofficial LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Inventor's Guide by David J. Perdue with Laurens Valk (No Starch Press) is an excellent book for the NXT robotics hobbyist to add to their reference library. It offers something for every level of NXT robotics building and programming. It is a learning guide that will take the beginner who has some experience with the NXT system, to the immediate level, to the advanced level builder/programmer.

There is a nice introductory section (Parts I & II) to the consumer version of the Mindstorms NXT 2.0 followed by some good building tips for sturdy structures and an excellent tutorial on gearing.

Part III covers the basics of programming with NXT-G, followed by using the NXT-G tools of calibrating sensors, updating firmware, block import, creating “Pack & Go”, plus the awesome tools of image editor, sound editor, and remote control (which are only found in the consumer version of the software).

Part IV covers the projects. The projects are presented in a progressive sequence from beginner to intermediate to advance. The first project, “Inventor Bot” is a nice example of a robot using treads and is easy to build. The “Sentry Bot” takes the Inventor Bot a step further by adding an Ultrasonic sensor, a third motor, and a ball-shooting device targeting the object (intruder) that is detected by the Ultrasonic sensor. Pretty cool! The “Table Bot” adds two Touch sensors to sense the edge of a table: and the Ultrasonic sensor and third motor can be removed or remain on the robot and programmed for some function. With the "Table Bot" the level of programming could be considered intermediate. The next two projects, "The Jeep" and "The Lizard," offer two new designs for building, which will make use of Color sensor. On the advanced level is the last project, "The Printer: a drawing device."

Overall, I found the building instructions clear with very good diagrams, I particularly liked the "blow-up balloons" to show detail. The programming diagrams were also very good with the use of labels to explain. Besides being a great reference for the hobbyist, The Unofficial LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Inventor's Guide also a great guide for teachers of NXT robotics.

Tragedy in the FRC community…

2011-03-29T09:55:00.003-04:00

Sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Shaunakaye Williams and members of the West Side High School FIRST Robotics Competition team on the lost of a promising science student.

16-year-old Williams drowned while on a school trip to compete in the Los Angeles Regional First Robotics Competition at the Long Beach Arena this past weekend.

LEGO Space Experience is here....

2011-03-01T09:02:00.017-05:00

The LEGO Space Experience!

Find out what it is about at: http://www.legospace.com/en-us/Default.aspx

There are also nice videos about engineering and a funny video about a dancing NASA robot:

http://www.legospace.com/en-us/Videos/Default.aspx#286625

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LEGO Space Experience: Lift-Off...

2011-02-24T22:58:00.010-05:00

And it's lift-off!!!!!

STS-133

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1872.html

On board the STS-133 is the LEGO(R) Shuttle Adventure Item # 10213

New LEGO Education Resource Set...

2011-02-17T21:26:00.011-05:00

There's a new Education Supplementary Resource Set from LEGO Education .

There are a few new elements not found in any other NXT kit. The old Resource set had about 116 different elements, the new has about 144.

Of course, there is also a new price - $99.95

Winning Design! LEGO Mindstorms NXT Design Patterns for Fun and Competition...

2011-01-26T14:28:00.015-05:00

Although the 2010 - FIRST LEGO League: Body Forward season is almost over, this year's novice coaches and the new coaches for next year’s 2011 - FLL: Food Safety tournament will want to get a jump start with this book: Winning Design! LEGO Mindstorms NXT Design Patterns for Fun and Competition by James Trobaugh (Apress publishers).

The author’s purpose for this book is to help coaches and teams better understand what it takes to successfully compete in the Robot Performance and Technical of the FIRST LEGO League and other LEGO(R) robotics events. He offers insight into what it takes to develop hopefully a winning robot; and what comes across in the book is planning: planning robot design, planning the order of executing the missions, planning in programming.

It is a book for both rookie teams as well as veteran teams. It is one of those “everything you need to know” books about building a robot for the FLL tournament (which also can be easily applied to other tournaments). The book is divided into four parts representing four major principles: Designing the robot, Navigation of the robot: the art of consistently moving about, Manipulation through purposeful attachments, and Organization/Programming.

It took me awhile to read the book for this review, because it is filled with so much valuable information. However, coaches/instructors will find the book well organized so they can go directly to one of the four major areas of discussion and find the information and advice they need; it is full of helpful tips. The sections on gearing, squaring up, line following/light sensors, and Manipulation are a must read. There are a lot of pictures/diagrams to go with the explanations.

The focus of the book is on using the LEGO(R) Mindstorms(R) NXT kit and NXT-G programming, but the author also included a little about RoboLab(R) software. In Appendix A there are building instructions for the DemoBot. Perhaps you would want to build the DemoBot before reading this book, so reading the book could be a hands-on experience as well.

Besides the softcover printed book, it also comes in eBook format which makes for a handy reference on an eReader or iPad, while working on that winning robot.

I’ve been a FLL coach with a winning team for a few years now, and I was able to take note of some of the excellent tips from Winning Design! LEGO Mindstorms NXT Design Patterns for Fun and Competition.

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FLL - Food Factor: Gearing...

2011-01-01T10:19:00.022-05:00

If you are planning to use gearing on your robot, here's a handy website: LEGO(R) Gear Ratio Calculator - http://sariel.pl/tools/ratios/

Also, here are 2 nice brief gear tutorials:

http://sariel.pl/2009/09/gears-tutorial/

http://sariel.pl/2009/06/worm-gear-casings/

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The Antikythera Mechanism & LEGO...

2010-12-11T17:16:00.015-05:00

Again, science has proven that building with LEGO® elements and NXT robotics is more than child’s play! It is becoming a valuable tool in scientific study.

The ESA’s Rosetta Project made a LEGO® prototype for their space research for meteors.

Now there is a LEGO® prototype for the Antikythera mechanism.

(Click on the picture to see the video)

Around 100BCD possibly a mechanical computer using gears was developed. In 1900-01 possibly this ancient mechanical computer was discovered on the wreck of the Antikythera. In 2006 a high-resolution X-ray tomography discovers it's purpose; he Antikythera mechanism, a device with gears, was designed to calculate astronomical positions, such as the position of the sun and moon. In 2008 scientists concluded that it also tracked the Metonic calendar, and predicted solar eclipses.

LEGO® elements help to open up the mysteries of the past!

LEGO Technic Idea books...

2010-11-01T14:26:00.014-04:00

For LEGO fans and teachers/instructors of LEGO technology and robotics here is a nice series of books to inspire ideas. They were originally published by Yoshihito Isogawa in Japanese (of course), but they have just been released by No Starch Press, in I guess you could say a universal language - pictures and icons. The series of three books: The LEGO® Technic Idea Book Simple Machines, The LEGO® Technic Idea Book Wheeled Wonders, and The LEGO® Technic Idea Book Fantastic Contraptions, shows you model ideas that can apply to LEGO® Technic building, as well as, building with Mindstorms® RCX elements, Mindstorms® NXT elements, LEGO® Power Functions, Pull-Back motors, and Wind-Up motors. There aren't detail instructions for building the little models, but honestly it isn't needed with the various views of the models and icons.

What I like about these cool little models is that they can be used to teach various science concepts such as, gearing, Newton's Laws, Potential & Kinetic energy - to name a few. Also, for the teacher who has limited equipment, because these are small models using only a few elements, several models can be made from one Mindstorms® kit allowing more students to have hands-on. And of course, these little models will inspire students to create their own.

So for anyone new (or old) to LEGO® Technic building, these three illustrated books are a nice addition to your library.

Some of the models in the books are on his website with videos so check it out:

http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/modelgallery_b.html

Other models using the programmable bricks (RCX & NXT) and more complex models with videos are at:

http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/modelgallery_a.htm l

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The Art of NXT-G Programming...

2010-10-08T15:07:00.016-04:00

There is a new NXT-G programming book, The Art of LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G Programming by Terry Griffin from No Strach Press, available for LEGO^® NXT Mindstorms^®robotics fans young (about ages 11+) and old, instructors of NXT robotics, and FLL (FIRST LEGO League) and FTC coaches (using NXT-G programming).

The book starts off with an excellent brief overview of the LEGO^® NXT Mindstorms^®kit and NXT-G software. Then the book goes into an in-depth coverage of the software. There is a nice picture instruction for building a rather simple “test” robot to practice programming with. The Move block & motor are covered in one chapter and in another chapter an overview of the sensors and programming them. The rest of the book covers data wires, program flow, a couple of useful programs, my blocks, and datalogging for ding (educational NXT kit) experiments; everything you need to know to become a proficient NXT-G programmer.

The book is written in fairly easy to understand language, there are examples, and lots of pictures of the programming. The instructions for writing a particular program are clear and concise. What I like is how the author has drawn circles on the programming pictures to highlight the item of discussion. The book’s discussion covers the LEGO^® NXT Mindstorms^®educational and consumer kits and the NXT-G 1.0 and 2.0 software versions, if information is specific for particular version, it is noted with a little icon.

Whether you are a neophyte or intermediate programmer The Art of LEGO^® Mindstorms^® NXT-G Programming is definitely a good teaching book to have in your library.

LEGO & the ESA Rosetta Project…

2010-10-02T15:58:00.018-04:00

If you think building with LEGO® elements and building “toy” robots with LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT kits is just child’s play, think again!

Check out how LEGO® is being used by the European Space Agency’s Rosetta Project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-TFVbnSKA&feature=player_embedded

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oEaGjgOB0M&feature=player_embedded

Part 2:
http://vimeo.com/15955119

Truly amazing!

By the way, it seems FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics is not only encouraging youngsters to think about similar careers in science & technology, but is actually preparing them for those careers with cutting edge technology.

When Godtfred Kirk Christiansen developed the first LEGO® brick in 1949, he probably had no idea where it would lead…

A Smile or laugh A Day...

2010-08-17T18:43:00.006-04:00

LEGO fans here's a cute blog to check out each day:

"a LEGO a day"

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Gazebo, The Bionicle Hand Puppet...

2010-08-14T12:11:00.011-04:00

A Bionicle hand puppet! Check this out... Gazebo

For LEGO building fans there are some nice building models posted on this blog too.

http://www.brothers-brick.com/

NXT-G Programming book...

2010-07-09T07:44:00.017-04:00

In 2007 James Floyd Kelly released LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide – 1^st. Edition It is no doubt THE reference book for NXT-G programming, whether you are using the LEGO Mindstorms consumer kit or educational kit. Since then LEGO has released the new consumer Mindstorms NXT 2.0 kit with new elements and programming features. To support the new kit, Mr. Kelly written a new edition: LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide – Second Edition. This EXCELLENT reference guide covers both NXT-G 1.0 and 2.0.

This wonderful book on NXT-G programming is a reference encyclopedia to the NXT-G programming blocks. Mr. Kelly not only defines the block, but also gives a description & example how it could be used - with a program diagram. By the way, diagrams in this version are slightly larger which is nice. Another extra in this version is at the end of many of the chapters Kelly includes Practice Exercise/Challenges with a description of the program to be created (using that chapter’s & previous chapter blocks). Of course, a solution is given and the Exercise .rbt files will be available for download on the Apress website.

And he accomplishes all this with a sense of humor – meet Spot, which in this version Kelly gives the reader instructions for building his sidekick.

For all MINDSTORMS(R) NXT builders/programmers of NXT-G, beginner to somewhat accomplished, this book is a MUST have!!!

James Floyd Kelly is a freelance writer living in Atlanta, Georgia, with degrees in English and Industrial Engineering. He is editor-in-chief of the world’s most popular LEGO NXT robotics blog,

The NXT STEP - LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog

The boos may also be purchased on Amazon.com

LEGO stores in the NYC area...

2010-06-26T13:43:00.021-04:00

Two new LEGO(R) Stores in NYC

LEGO(R) Store in Queen Center Mall
90-15 Queens Blvd.
Elmhurst, NY

Entertainment Area, Level 2, JCPenney Wing

and

The LEGO(R) Store
Rockefeller Center NYC

A giant, 15-foot apple, entirely out of LEGO bricks was built at their Grand Opening and participants' creations were displayed in the mall.

To locate other LEGO(R stores
go to
http://stores.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx

The LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book...

2010-06-24T14:13:00.012-04:00

The NXT Mindstorms 2.0 kit has some cool building elements and building instructions for the somewhat experienced builder; all that is needed is a REAL manual for those who are new to NXT robotics. Well, here is the missing manual; The LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book: a beginner’s guide to building and programming robots!

by Laurens Valk, published by No Starch Press.

On the inside front cover is a very nice new Quick Build Reference Chart (in color) with a differential chart between friction and non-friction pins and axles, as well as, a gray tone equivalents as pictured in the book. On the back inside cover is the kit’s parts list.

The book is divided into 4 parts: Getting Started – which covers what’s in the kit, building and programming a simple robot; Building and Programming Robots with Sensors; Creating Advanced Programs; and Advanced Robot Projects (my favorite is the Snatcher – with a few PSP-Nx adaptations it could become my personal butler). Lot of diagrams and pictures in this book make it easy to use. The author makes reference to the new Sound and Display tools, referring the reader to LEGO Mindstorms User Guide; it would have been nice though he had included his own interpretation of using these tools, I’m sure it would have been better than what is in the user guide.

There is also a nice companion website to the book: http://www.discovery.laurensvalk.com/

So whether you are a novice or an experienced NXTer, you will find this book a wonderful resource guide to the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 kit with some rather interesting new robot building ideas.

Swish! Robot Basketball…

2010-06-13T10:57:00.014-04:00

Check out the basketball playing humanoid robot using the Mindstorms NXT 2.0 kit

by Matthias Paul Scholz's

Another basketball playing robot that can also keep and play "score!" can be found @

http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/Community/NXTLog/DisplayProjectList.aspx?memberid=4cfeac58-6161-4ec9-a00e-0e2f087d3cd0

Another NXT goes bad...

2010-05-11T18:27:00.012-04:00

Update! May 20, 2010

Over the years I have had several NXT controllers lose their display. I can actually "download & run" programs there is no display. A few years ago, I called LEGO Education & after they verified that I had bought those 3 NXT controllers from them, they replaced my controllers, but offered no explanation as to why this happened. Since then 5 more controllers stop displaying. The controllers have not been dropped, nor exposed to extremes in temperature - I'm at a lost as to why this is happening.

Has anyone else had this problem??? Are there any solutions???

Well, I heard from author James Floyd Kelly who told me this is not an isolated problem, and so again I contacted LEGO Education Technical support who didn't offer an explanation why it happens, but were very willing to have me send the defected NXT controllers to LEGO Education (I'm assuming the ones I bought from them) and they will replace them. Sort of a happy ending...

STEM & NXT Robotics: a Perfect Match...

2010-03-28T12:45:00.017-04:00

Recently at the FIRST robotics 10^th Anniversary Celebration at the Javits Center in NYC, I was talking to an educator about how robotics can play an important role in S.T.E.M.

A perfect & inspiring example can be seen in a recent article: WizKidz Science and Technology Centers and Georgia Institute of Technology has received $490,000 from the National Science Foundation to implement computing learning institutes for students with disabilities.

http://www.wizkidztech.org/Press.asp

Books & materials on STEM & NXT robotics go to:

http://www.vernier.com/nxt/

- Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter

RCX & Power Function Fans...

2010-03-27T08:59:00.019-04:00

For those or you who still love the "ye ole" LEGO Scout, Spybotics, RCX or are into Power Functions check out this LEt'sGO Studio website: http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/modelgallery_a.html - it's rather interesting.

And for those who like LEGO mini-sculptures & electronic works look at LEt'sGO Studio: Mini Works http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/modelgallery_b.html

On both these sites I see potential ideas for application to NXT robotics & there is a NXT compass...

Looking for info about LEGO Scout & Spybotics? Check out: http://philohome.com/sdk25/sdk25.htm

- Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter

Educational Toy of the Year 2010...

2010-02-14T09:21:00.009-05:00

Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter here...

For all of those who think the LEGO(R) Mindstorns NXT kit is too expense for "just a toy", re-think that thought because it has been named EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR!

Of course, educators (elementary through college) who teach with the NXT, and NXT robotics hobbyists (young and old), already knew the educational and personal values of this amazing kit.

Way the go, LEGO!!!

King's Treasure....

2010-02-14T08:55:00.013-05:00

James Floyd Kelly (the Indiana Jones of NXT robotics) does it again with LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT 2.0: The King's Treasure

King’s Treasure is the second in (hopefully) a series about an archeologist and his nephew who builds NXT robots to help on the expedition.

As an adventure fan you will like the story and as a NXT robotics hobbyists you will appreciate the interesting robots. Detailed instructions are given for building the robots, as well as programming.

As the title indicates the robots are made from the new Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 kit. For those of you who have the NXT Educational kit see: http://thenxtstep.blogspot.com/2010/01/kings-treasure-parts-list-for-education.html for additional parts needed to build the robots in this book or improvise!

This is a fun book with great ideas…

FIRST Robotics, Where Can it Lead....

2010-01-30T15:13:00.013-05:00

The other day I had the pleasure and dismay of visiting a middle school in my neighborhood. They are planning to start an after-school LEGO NXT robotics program and I was there to give them information on how to go about it and what they could do with a LEGO NXT robotics curriculum. A conversation with one student revealed that he was afraid other students would think playing with LEGO robotics was childish; and asking his parents for a LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit would be out of the question because they think it too expensive for a toy and that they should be more concerned about saving for college - however, his family does own video game systems. I’ve heard that scenario many times before; as well as the woes of schools trying to get money to fund robotics programs.

Well, I explained to him that although NXT robotics is fun as in playing with a toy, it is also a very creative educational tool that one day may lead him to a scholarship for college as well as prepare him to be that engineer or any other technological (or non-technical) careers.

I wish at the time I had the following video to show the students and the teachers where playing with LEGO Mindstorms NXT robotics kits can lead to an amazing, innovative world in their future and that it is not just OK, but GREAT to think and create!

Video: Amazing Robotics Presentation From RoMeLa

- The LeGo-bot Lady

Advanced NXT Robot Builders Book...

2010-01-22T21:49:00.005-05:00

For you advanced NXT robotics builders here is a challenging book for you; the LEGO Mindstorms NXT Thinking Robots by Daniele Benedettelli - published by No Starch Press.

There are two rather intriguing projects in the book, a Tic-Tac-Toe Playing Robot and Rubik Cube Solver (which will require a USB webcam) – I have never been able to solve a Rubik Cube, maybe this will give me a little incite for solving it (:-P.

Detailed building instructions for the robots are given for NXT 1.0 and NXT 2.0. The author states that the programs are in NXC and are quite involved, so instead of presenting them in the book the author gives you links to download the required software to run the programs.

Overall, the two projects are fascinating, but the book is definitely for the advanced NXT robotics builder and programmer.

http://nostarch.com/nxtthinking.htm

Robotic Teamwork...

2010-01-14T11:25:00.006-05:00

Ree-bot the robotic engineer here…

Recently, while hanging out on the shelf with my robot buddies I had a spark of an idea – suppose I had a project, needing two NXT controllers, where I needed the program on one NXT to start exactly with a program on the other NXT controller. What to do, what to do? Then it Touch-ed (sensor) me – ha, ha, ha!

First, I tried daisy chaining three NXT Conversion cables; it had some interesting results that didn’t work quite the way I wanted. So, next I tried two NXT Conversion cables - attached to each other, one was plugged into Input 1 of Controller X and the other into a Touch sensor on the other Controller Y, which also has a Touch sensor connected to Input 1 of that Controller Y. Now what? Have each program RUN, waiting for Wait Touch; press both Touch sensors at the same time, but what if one thumb is a split second faster that the other??? Then I remember a little artistic (it was just for looks) trick that a student had in Ms. LeGoBots Lady’s AMNH ( American Museum of Natural History) Robots in Space class. I have to give credit where credit is due – thanks Alexandra!!

Using the Dswitch...

2010-01-03T10:43:00.011-05:00

I recently purchased the DSWITCH from Dexterindustrie

As advertised:
The dSwitch is a controller designed to be used with LEGO(R) NXT Mindstorms hardware and software. The dSwitch controls any appliance in your house, such as a light, a toaster, or anything else you can plug into a 110V switch. The device acts as a switch, allowing your NXT inventions to turn off and on any appliance in the house.

Howwever, when I downloaded the dswithon & dswitchoff blocjs only the dswitchoff would import into the NXT-G (educational version). So I e-mailed the company & they responded right away with a new download, but alas that didn't import either. It was suggested that using the motor block at 75% will turn the switch on & off, which works, thanks!

I also discovered that the following program also works.

The Dswitch controller is pretty cool with the possibility of some fun applications!

FIRST & President Obama's Educate to Innovate...

2009-11-25T18:59:00.021-05:00

Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter here with exciting news…

On November 23, 2009, President Obama announced the “Educate to Innovate” initiative, a campaign to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There at the announcement was Dean Kamen of FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) along with the FRC team from Oakton HS from Vienna, Virginia; who gave a demonstration of their robot (seen towards the end of the video).

See the video @ http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-kicks-educate-innovate

"As president, I believe that robotics can imspire young people to pursue science and engineering."

Thank you Mr. President Obama for supporting FIRST...

Different NXT kits - What's in the boxes...

2009-11-25T09:45:00.006-05:00

If anyone is looking for a comparison of elements in the various NXT kit versions (Educational, Consumer 1.0, & Consumer 2.0,) check out the following website, it has a comparison of elements & their numbers:

http://static.robotclub.ab.ca/pages/nxt/InventoryComparison/nxt_1_vs_2_vs_edu.html

Also, keep in mind that there is a difference in the software in each kit version, but all files will work with each software, provided they are using the same programming blocks (you can download sensor blocks to be imported to any version of the NXT from HiTechnic). However, downloading the file to the NXT may ask to download that particular firmware, if it is different on the NXT you are downloading to.

LEGO Pop-Up...

2009-10-19T19:17:00.007-04:00

To build a model of Japan’s most treasured landmarks, Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, out of LEGO elements is quite a feat; but to build one that is a Pop-Up out of a box also made of LEGO elements is outstanding! The builder, Talapz, is amazing! Check out the YouTube video:

Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic, & Robotics...

2009-08-24T09:41:00.007-04:00

As another school year starts perhaps school administrators & parents need to take a good look at our schools' curriculum. Are we really giving our students a complete education or are we fixated on test score? Many inner city schools focus on obtaining better test scores, particularly in reading & math, so their curriculum focus tends to teach to the tests; and well everything else is less important & fillers.

So what does this have to do with robotics!!! Just bear with me I will get to it.

OK let's say test scores improve & students graduate with decent scores; higher education & the business world is saying, yes they have nice scores but they are lacking in skills, creativity, & have not really learned to apply the concepts or understand them to put the knowledge to use. Departments of Education may brag about test scores are up, but are the students capable of applying what they regurgitate on paper?

So are our schools properly preparing our students to be productive citizens or are they graduating "I look good on paper, but I really don't know what to do with it - except take a test?"

Don't misunderstand me, there are many wonderful schools with well-round curriculum, & innovative teaching that allows students to be hands-on, who are graduating students that are creative & can apply what they have learned. However, there are also many schools, particularly in the inner cities, that unfortunately focus their monies & efforts on just raising test scores (I know because I taught in a few of these types of schools); creative teaching, hands-on learning, & "non-major subjects" have less priority - maybe that's why students are losing interest in school.

Now for the 4th R - Robotics (and yes, there are other subjects that allow students to apply the concepts through hands-on experiences)... In the early 1900's educator John Dewey professed the educational principle that we learn better and retain more by developing problem solving & critical thinking skills; accomplished by learning through imaging, experimentation, discovery, & putting it into practice: LEARNING by DOING - in the case of robotics: LEARNING by BUILDING! Besides the obvious concepts that can be learned & skills developed in math, science, & technology, a robotics program done right will also require the practice of reading & writing skills (and some history can be thrown in too).

If a school has not looked at the benefits of a robotics program, perhaps they should check the research; and then perhaps they will see how a robotics program will help encourage students to be imaginative, independent learners who think creatively, analyze situations and apply critical thinking & problem solving skills to real world problems. A bonus benefit - we possibly get students excited about math, science, technology, & school in general; plus, robotics seems to have a positive effect on test scores - most of my robotics students (of various academic levels) expressed an improvement in some of their major subjects & reading/math tests. Seems like a win-win situation to me...

Some research:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ768878&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ768878

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ570775&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ570775

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NXT Consumer kit or Educational kit???

2009-07-12T03:00:00.013-04:00

The Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (Consumer version kit) is on sale $279.99 http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8547&cn=17 .

Yippee OR not!! And what's the difference between the Consumer version & the Educational version???

The new Consumer version has new elements & new software...

A Color Sensor which detects different colors, different light intensity, as well as, a color lamp.

There will be 2 Touch Sensors, but no Sound Sensor, however, you can still buy & use a Sound Sensor with the kit; I will assume LEGO(R) decided to eliminate it from this kit, because it is sometimes hard to use with extraneous sounds around.

The 2.0 software contains a few new icons/blocks, sounds, and a Sound editor to create customized sounds with a built-in or computer microphone. A Picture/Icon editor to import picture files to the NXT display. A new Bluetooth Contact Block that lets the NXT connect & disconnect up to 3 other NXTs while running a program. Also, there’s an on screen Remote Control from your computer to try out your model while programming.

There is 42 more pieces in the kit, instructions for 4 new models and http://mindstorms.lego.com/ will be offering 10 bonus models with building instructions.

However, a word of caution... there seems that there may be some software issues with your older NXT programs. Remember what happened when LEGO(R) went from RCX to NXT - well this change is not quite as drastic, but don't look for a seamless transition.

Check out: NXT 2.0 vs Original NXT on The NXT Step - LEGO Mindstorms NXT Blog

Once I get my hands on the Consumer version, there will be a follow-up on this topic...

Robotics at AMNH...

2009-06-27T08:23:00.024-04:00

Wow, the “LeGo-bots Lady” and I just had an exciting week at the American Museum of Natural History’s Robotics Camp. We taught LeGology Technology, how an electric current is produced, and of course built awesome Rover robots while using the Rose Center of the museum to learn about Mars & the Rovers.

- Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter

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New FTC kit...

2009-05-20T11:02:00.002-04:00

New FTC kit…

The word is out… the new FTC kit is available to registered teams and there are some new goodies (they must have read my post of FTC - Face Off! Reflection...) Actually, they took a survey from the teams and made changes:

TETRIX™ Base Set, which includes:
o Improved Servos, DC motors
o NEW omni wheel
o New game sensor
o Brackets and mounts
o Structural channel and plates
o Structural tubing and hubs
o Wheels and gears
o LabVIEW, MINDSTORMS NXT, & Robot C software for FTC & licenses
o LEGO Bluetooth dongle
o Hard Point Connectors for attaching TETRIX to LEGO Technic
o Two Logitech joystick controllers
o HiTechnic controllers
o Battery pack, connectors, and charger
o Hardware and hex keys
o User guide and FTC game manual
o Storage bin

Teams have 3 options:
1 – Tetrix Base kit & NXT kit - $999.
2 – Tetrix Base kit - $799.
3 – Low-cost option for those who have last year’s Tetrix & NXT kit – Updated software & new game sensor - $149.

Teams will also be able to buy more than one kit this year.

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LEGOs at a Mansion???

2009-04-18T10:13:00.008-04:00

Come to Lyndhurst Mansion… Why??? Because that’s where the LEGOs are!!! Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th 2009 from 10am-4pm is LEGO® Fun at the beautiful Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York (635 South Broadway -Route 9).

The two fun filled days will include seeing the Master LEGO® Builder – Arthur Gugick, demonstrations/activities with motorized LEGO devices & LEGO® Mindstorms® Robotics, and of course lots & lots of LEGOs for building activities (bringing a small bag of LEGO® elements to donate to the festivities will be appreciated), raffles, & prizes. Tour the Mansion to find many LEGO® models by LEGO fans on display.

All ages are invited to attend. Admission: $7 for Adults, $5 for Children 4-14 and Free for children 3 and younger.

Directions:http://www.lyndhurst.org/visit.html#Directions

For more information, please call Judy Beil (914) 631-4481, ext 43231.

Dressed in NXT Black...

2009-03-22T17:30:00.005-04:00

Reee-bot the Roving Reporter here….

Check out my new 10th year birthday suit (chuckle) – I think I look good I black, don’t you think?

Hey LEGO® how about some black motors to go with this awesome body???

FIRST Robotics at Javits...

2009-03-09T16:07:00.012-04:00

The excitement was electrifying as the FIRST robotics: FRC, FTC, FLL, and JrFLL converged on the Javits Center in NYC this past weekend (March 6-8th).
Over 170 teams brought their awesome robots and outstanding research projects to compete and show-off their genius!

Robotics Rocks!

The 8547 MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0...

2009-01-28T10:40:00.010-05:00

Reee-bot the Roving Robot Reporter here…

Rumor has it that an updated NXT Mindstorms is to be released possibly this summer. At the recent Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair the 8547 Mindstorms® NXT 2.0 was on display. The home version kit (not sure if there will be also an education version) will include 612 elements, a color sensor in addition to the other sensors, instructions for 4 new robot models & it looks like there will be a remote control feature. My cousin Alpha Rex has a new make-over – Wow!

For info & photos of the new models go to: http://thenxtstep.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-8547-mindstorms-nxt-20.html

More photos: http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/21837/image1.jpg

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Life After FLL...

2009-01-27T11:51:00.007-05:00

Since September (some since May when registration opened) FLL teams with great expectations have been preparing for the regional tournaments which are upon us. Some triumphant teams will go on to the FLL US Open Championship and maybe to the World Festival; but then what??? No, it’s not over! There is an awesome book of projects to tantalize one’s imagination and keep the exciting challenge of robotics going: LEGO® MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders: Ten Inventions to Spark Your Imagination by Kelly, J. F.; Scholz, M.P.; Smith, C.R.; Boogaarts, M.; Daudelin, J.: Burdo, E.D.; Valk, L.; Bluetoothkiwi; Rhodes, F. – No Starch Press, Inc. 2009.

The book, chock full of ideas, provides step-by-step instructions of how to build the robots or devices, each of which can be built from just one LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT kit (and if you happen to have other LEGO® elements, creativity is unleashed). There are programming examples for each of the projects, plus ideas for further exploration, and troubleshooting tips.

So if you are looking for some fresh ideas, there are 10 wonderful projects for teachers and FLL coaches to explore and to adapt to emphasize particular technology, science and math skills. For example, CandyPicker, M, and The Hand opens the door (:-O) to discussions about the use of robotics to do repetitive, dangerous or dirty jobs. RoboLock helps to explain how security systems work. SPC: the Self-Parking Car illustrates how sensors work and how the Lexus LS 460L parks itself – hmmm a field trip to a Lexus dealership might be an interesting idea. My favorite is NXT Dragster, as a robotics teacher I have done something similar, incorporating math by finding the circumference of a circle (wheel) to determine the number of rotations/degrees needed to go a particular distance. NXT Dragster adds the excitement and the feel of a drag racing strip – imagine drag racing down the hallway!!!

For more information on the book and updates go-to No Starch Press http://www.nostarch.com/nxtonekit.htm or orders@nostarch.com, 1-800-420-7240).

Barack Obama – 44th President of the United States…

2009-01-20T10:32:00.019-05:00

January 20, 2009 makes its mark in history, American History, World History, where the United States of America is on the verge of a big change. The fact that a multi-cultural country came together to elect a president that is multi-ethnic is history in itself. More importantly this President is calling on all Americans to work together with him to make America strong and rise to a greatness that has never been seen before.

So what role will FIRST® robotics play in this commitment for change and service to America? It will continue to do what it has been doing since 1989 when it was founded by Dean Kamen. FIRST® (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) a not-for-profit organization, with its many volunteers (who are teachers, community leaders, employees of corporations, university students/faculty, and FIRST® alumni), have been reaching out to young people using robotics to help build self-confidence, a strong knowledge base, cooperative working & sharing, as well as life-long skills in kids in America and in many countries throughout the world. It is through their involvement and spirit of “We Can” that they hope to affect change in the lives of young people who will hopefully make America and the world better.

In honor of this historic day Master Model Designers at LEGOLAND® in Carlsbad, California have built the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies out of LEGO® elements. Check it out… http://www.brickjournal.com/news

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It's Winnie-the-Pooh Day...

2009-01-17T11:08:00.005-05:00

January 18th is Winnie-the-Pooh Day, well actually it is A. A. Milne’s birthday – the author (Allen Alexander Milne) of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories.

The real Christopher Robin was the author’s son and Pooh bear, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore were his stuff animal toys. However, there was an original Winnie, an orphaned American Black bear cub that was found in Canada and later sent to the London Zoo.

In 1951, Pooh bear, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, and Eeyore were “loaned” to the E.P. Dutton & Co. publishers, but somehow they were never returned to England; they are now on display at the Donnell Children’s Library in New York City – I know because went to see them.

- Reee-Bot the Roving Reporter

NYC JrFLL & FLL...

2009-01-13T22:15:00.024-05:00

The NYC JrFLL took place on January 11, 2009 at City College of New York hosted by the LAESA -SHPE Chapter of CCNY. Eight JrFLL teams, kids from ages 6-9 showed off their research and LEGO building skills as a result of their investigations of climate change. Congratulations to PS 11 of Manhattan for being awarded the Judges' Award for their outstanding project; and "well done!" to all the young scientists who participated.

Congratulations, to the 20 FLL teams from the Bronx, 14 teams from Manattan, 13 teams from Staten Island, 13 teams from Brooklyn, & 12 teams from Queens who will be competing at the NYC FLL (FIRST LEGO League) tournament on March 7, 2009 at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. Also, that weekend the FRC(FIRST Robotic Competition) and the FTC (FIRST TECH Competition will be taking place.
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2009-01-01T10:27:00.009-05:00

]-[ /-\ PP `/ * ]\[ 3 W * `/ 3 /-\ R!

Wakamaru...

2008-11-30T13:59:00.017-05:00

Hello! My name is Wakamaru...

I am a humanoid robot from Japan; I am the creation of designer Toshiyuki Kita and am made by Mitsubishi. My design was to make me more approachable to humans with my human-like shape, adorable expression, and ability to make eye contact and gestures – I’m soooo cute! I can interact & communicate with people talking on a variety of subjects. What else can I do? Well, I can lead exercises, remember information & in turn provide it to people– I am so intelligent!

Currently, I’m employed at Uniqlo in NYC. I provide information for the store customers, “conversate” with and play games (Rock, Paper, Scissors) with them. I love my job.

While working at Uniqlo I have assistants to help monitor my technical functions and provide additional info about me to the public. Here are 2 of my assistants posing with me, they are very nice – humans are remarkable creatures.

My specs:
Interactive voice technology – voice recognition & speech
Eye contact technology – physical or facial movement detection
Face recognition technology – face observation & differentiation
Obstacle avoidance technology – ultrasonic, infrared, & contention detection bumper sensors.

I’ll be at Uniqlo - 546 Broadway – NYC for a few more weeks, so if you can, stop by and say Hi!

Check out my web blog:

http://www.newyork-tokyo.com/wp/wakamaru-usa/

New Help for FLL teams...

2008-11-14T08:40:00.011-05:00

For rookie coaches (and veterans too), the FIRST LEGO® League Coaches’ Handbook, that comes with your registration of a team, is your overview of getting started with an FLL (FIRST LEGO® League) team. The handbook offers a coach, teacher, and/or parent general insight into how to organize and coach a FLL team and what to expect at the tournaments. It is a quick reference that offers philosophy, management, and check lists for the team.

Now, coaches have another resource, the FIRST LEGO® League: the unofficial guide by James Floyd Kelly & Jonathan Daudelin, takes you beyond the handbook. It goes into more depth as to what FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) and the FLL is about, the components of the challenge: robot performance, robot design, the research project, teamwork and other awards, starting and managing a team – including funding, etc. However, what makes the FIRST LEGO® League: the unofficial guide so excellent is it offers a starting point for robot building and programming, which is often a concern for new coaches – Where do we begin? What are the basics for building and programming for the tournament? Yes, there are good resources scattered around the Internet; of course there are book sources geared mostly toward an intermediate and advanced robotics curriculum (not the FLL) and there is one very good reference book for just programming. Therefore, FIRST LEGO® League: the unofficial guide is the book for FLL teams to add to their resources. It provides teams with beginning ideas, pictures, and examples of robot design, attachments for their robot, programming samples, and a link http://thenxtstep.com/book/downloads/ for downloading NXT-G programs and sample documents.

As a LEGO® NXT robotics instructor, I highly recommend this book to FIRST LEGO® teams; and for those thinking about getting involved in the FLL. For information on the book and updates go-to www.oreilly.com/nostarch, or directly from No Starch Press ( http://www.nostarch.com, orders@nostarch.com, 1-800-420-7240).

For those of you not involved in the FIRST LEGO® robotics go-to http://firstlegoleague.org/community/events/overview.aspx for information on an exciting program.

We Robots Are Everywhere...

2008-11-13T13:58:00.011-05:00

From Reee-bot the Roving Robot Reporter…

In the Dec. 2008 issue of Mac Life, page 48, reporter Roberto Baldwin gives thumbs up for the LEGO® NXT Mindstorms robot (one of my relatives, I'm proud to say). He says, “Since robots will someday overthrow their human masters, I want to stay ahead of the curve…and treat them the way robots deserve to be treated, when the big scary robots come to throw me into their undersea human prison, my army of tiny robot friends (NXT robots) will speak on my behalf…”

What a vivid imagination! Don't worry man, I got your back; I love you Robbie!!!
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FLL team 7630 - Tag Young Scholars are Learning about Climate Changes in Harlem

2008-10-24T21:22:00.015-04:00

Reee-Bot the Roving Robot Reporter here...

At MS 12 TAG Young Scholars in Manhattan, team # 7630 and their/coach Ms. B. DeAbreu are preparing for the exciting 2008 FLL Tournament – Climate Connections. To help them with their research project on climate change problems in their area of Harlem, their science teacher Ms. J. Ryan asked for help from one of the experts in the area – WE ACT for Environmental Justice www.weact.org/climatejustice. Two members from WE ACT – Whitney & Stephanie visited the school and had a discussion about climate change with the team. They learned of the causes of climate change, about storm surge, the rising temperatures in Northern Manhattan, and the rising sea levels around NYC. The team also did some brainstorming for ideas to deal with the climate change problems in Harlem.

I can hardly wait to see their Research Project Presentation at the FIRST LEGO League Tournament.

See you there…

LEGOworld...

2008-10-20T13:00:00.008-04:00

Reee-Bot here...

Check out some of the best of LEGO & Mindstorms - LEGOWORLD Europe:

2005 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkpmlEx1g44

2006 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d0lz-TGVEs&feature=related

2007 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMwij_nbBWk&feature=related

2008 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4NgnSkk6J8

Awesome!

Milestones for LEGO...

2008-09-28T20:10:00.010-04:00

Reee-Bot the Roaming Robot Reporter here…

The year 2008 marks milestones for the LEGO® Group.

It is the 50th anniversary of the “automatic binding brick” – those little, plastic brick looking elements that comes in many different colors and snaps together to build a multitude of creations.

It is also the 30th birthday of the minifigure as we know them today – small multi-jointed figurines that can be poised or disassembled to create new figures. In 1974 the LEGO® Group developed plastic figures capable of posing with the head and arms. In 1978 the minifigure as we know it today was produced. Today famous characters such as Princess Leia, Harry Potter, CatWoman, and Indiana Jones are immortalized as minifigures.

And finally of special interest to me, being a robot, the 10th anniversary of LEGO Mindstorms® Robotics. It was in 1998 that LEGO® building elements were combined with robotics technology, providing young and old with a new medium to design and program “intelligent” models – robots. To celebrate this 10th anniversary, why not form a LEGO robotics club, join the FIRST LEGO League or FIRST TECH Challenge http://www.usfirst.org/ and build, build, build, robots to take over the world!! Oops, I got carried away there...

I owe my existence to you LEGO® & Mindstorms® so…

Happy Anniversary LEGO brick & robotics!! Thank you for making childhood, and yes even adulthood, more creative and wondrous for so many!

Here’s hoping that in the “futuristic” generations to come, the simple “automatic binding brick” and other wonders from LEGO are there to continue to inspire.

LEGO: From a Toy to an Art Form...

2008-08-14T08:39:00.035-04:00

Helloooo,

This is Reee-bot the Roving Robot reporting on a fantastic visit to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center to see "Architecture of the Imagination: The Lure of the LEGO® Brick Featuring Nathan Sawaya: The Art of the Brick™". This extraordinary exhibit is the work of Nathan Sawaya, a New York based "brick artist." Here I am posing under the life-size tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

What is a "brick artist?" One who uses LEGO® bricks, what is normally viewed as a child's building toy, to create sculpture & "brick mosaics" that could hang next to any modern art painting.

Sawaya's works of art can be playful in meaning or explore human emotion that leaves the viewer to interpret its meaning as in "Red" - is the human reaching for something out of the bricks, or is he sinking into the pile of bricks, & what could it symbolize? However it is interpreted, it is truly amazing how he creates these structures of art out of literally thousands of little plastic bricks. For more info about Nathan Sawaya & his art > http://www.brickartist.com/

"The Art of the Brick" is the first major museum exhibit in the U.S. & Canada to focus on LEGO® building elements as a new art form. It is currently touring the U.S. & Canada:

TELUS World of Science Edmonton - Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) - December 15, 2008-May 3, 2009
Turtle Bay Exploration Part & Museum - Redding, CA. - May 16, 2009-January 3, 2010
Crown Center - Kansas City, MO. - May 23, 2009-September 7, 2009
Everhart Museum - Scranton, PA. - February 4, 2010-May 2, 2010
Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences - Peoria, IL. - April 2, 2010-September 6, 2010

P.S. For those parents who ever wondered why you bought your child those little plastic bricks & elements that you would find in pockets while doing the laundry or stepped on with bare feet in the middle of the night (Ouch!), playing/working with those little bricks could very well lead to becoming an architectual engineer, robotics engineer (through LEGO® robotics) & oh yeah, a "brick artist."

P.S.S. By the way, it's not just a "boy toy," let's hear it for the girls who are just as creative at designing & building. And as for you AFOLRs (Adult Fans of LEGO & Robotics) it can be a rewarding life-long hobby - that's gospel from a 60 year old grandma!

Introducing Tetrix...

2008-07-25T08:11:00.015-04:00

For those of you (like myself) who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of your new FTC kit (shipment starts in September?), you can check out the Bill of Materials .

Also, Pitsco has a promotional video about the Tetrix kit.

Tetrix kits & materials are being adveritsed at LEGO Education, but will not be ready for general public sale until January.

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Robot for President!

2008-07-06T13:28:00.007-04:00

If you haven't read this New York Times article, it is a "must read" for all robotics fans and for those who are concerned about our future...

Wall-E for President - by Frank Rich

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/opinion/06rich.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Robotics @ Javits in NYC & a FLL Perfect Score...

2008-04-26T08:03:00.005-04:00

April, one could say was Robotics Month in NYC. Starting the first weekend with the FIRST competitions at the Jacob Javits Center. Upon entering the Javits Center, one could hear the action pack description of the Commentator, up beat music playing in the background, the roar of the crowd in the jam-pack bleaches, and the cheers of school cheerleaders and one might be visualizing a sporting event with athletes accomplishing great physical feats. However, this event was a sporting event of the mind; where science, math, and technology are celebrated and teams of young robotic engineers are cheered for awesome robots that they built. For three days, young people from grade 4 through high school showed off their talents competing in FIRST NYC FLL (FIRST LEGO® League) Expo, FTC (FIRST Tech/VEX® Competition), & FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition).

64 teams competed in the FRC; coming from NYC, Westchester, NJ, LI, and a team from England. For the first time in NYC, in the FTC 49 teams from NYC, Westchester, LI, NJ, Mass. and even Canada competed with VEX® robots. In the FLL Expo 50 teams from NYC, Westchester, LI, NJ, and PA competed with the winning team, The Cyberbots of Brics~2~Bots, scoring a perfect score of 400.

Among the spectators viewing this spectacular event was Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST and inventor of the HomeChoice-The first portable kidney dialysis machine, first portable insulin pump, Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter (a wheelchair that can climb stairs & rough terrain), and the Segway Human Transporter. Also, NYC’s mayor the Honorable Mayor Blumberg and NYC DOE’s Chancellor Klein were there to acknowledge FIRST and offer their support to the teams.

The following weekend, on April 12th Vision Ed hosted the first Robofest at the SONY Wonder Technology Lab, SONY Plaza Public Arcade. Youngsters ages 6-12 showed off robotic inventions & dancing robots.

During the weekend of April 19-20th Lyndhurst Mansion Historic Site in Tarrytown, NY sponsored its second LEGO Fun at Lynhurst event. LEGO models by LEGO fans of all ages were displayed in the beautiful 1838 Gothic Revival mansion overlooking the Hudson River. Master LEGO Builder, Arthur Gugick was there with his magnificent models. Representing LEGO robotics were several robotics teams from the Lower Hudson Valley, the Bronx, and the Cyberbots from Queens.

Hail, believers of LEGO® technology & robotics…

2008-04-25T11:44:00.002-04:00

This blog is basically about my adventures in the Realm of Robotics, as well as, imparting information on LEGO® & Tech/VEX® robotics. It will be for the educator teaching robotics in the elementary through high schools, as well as, for the hobbyist; of which I am both. There will be information about FIRST®, Botball®, Robofest®, & other robotics events (mostly in the New York City & surrounding areas).

Why robotics? Think about it – robotics is a estimated to be over a 500 billion dollar emerging industry. Its impact is liken to the effect of mass production on the industrial revolution and computers on the information age. From an educator’s point of view, it’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, project-based, it’s learning in action; that encompasses various subject areas. From a hobbyist point of view, it’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, it can be a form of life-long learning, and more importantly – it’s FUN!

-V. Greene