Adding contents to Robo Center/Robot Educator

In this review I describe the LEGO Robo Center/Robot Educator file structure and format. Using this information, you can add your own projects’ documentation into the NXT-G programming environment. This contents will look and behave just like the existing contents in Robo Center/Robot Educator.

Comparison of Programming Environments for NXT

The winter issue of Robot magazine contains a comparison of the various programming solutions for the NXT. It’s available online at http://www.botmag.com/articles/10-31-07_NXT.shtml. The comparison includes implementation of a simple line following program using the different programming languages including screenshots from the different environments. [Note: I wrote the article and also helped author ROBOTC].

Another NXT programming language discussion was justed posted on the Wired magazine web site at http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2007/11/the-best-progra.html. Chris Anderson of Wired has been using his NXT to control his UAV — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle — and has tried many of the programming environments. For more on his airplane, see the videos at http://diydrones.com/video/video/show?id=705844:Video:43 

Digital Compass Sensors Review

Comparision of the new mindsensors.com and HiTechnic digital compass sensors.

NXT Memory and File System Organization

Dick Swan explains how NXT memory and file system are organized.

Overview of the NXT I/O MAPs

Dick Swan published this overview of NXT I/O MAPs.

Power Functions presentation

Philo (in collaboration with Didier Enjary) published an excelent presentation of the new PF motors series. Read it here.

RIC Revealed

NXT graphic files are often used to spice up a robotics program.  The Alpha Rex robot uses two heart pictures to display something like a beating heart on the LCD while the robot moves about.  Ross Crawford’s mini chess program written in NBC uses several graphics to draw the chess pieces on the screen.  The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT software ships with nearly one hundred little graphic images that you can use in NXT-G programs or programs written in NBC or NXC.  Read on for a revealing look into the NXT graphic file format.

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The New NXT Digital Sensor Port - Part I

This review details the old RCX analog port function and the new NXT digital sensor architecture. The essentials of I2C communications are explained, as well as basic NBC programming using I2C. (more…)