Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to LEGO MINDSTORMS

Acknowledgements xi Part I: Fundamentals Getting Started 3 Chapter 1: Chapter 2: The RCX 17 Chapter 3: Introduction to NQC 33 Construction 57 Chapter 4: Part II: Robots 81 83 Chapter 5: Tankbot Chapter 6: Bumpbot 97 Chapter 7: Bugbot 109 131 Chapter 8: Linebot Chapter 9: Dumpbot 149 Scanbot 165 Chapter 10: Chapter 11: Tribot 191 201 Chapter 12: Onebot Steerbot 209 Chapter 13: 233 Chapter 14: Diffbot Chapter 15: Brick Sorter 245 257 Chapter 16: Vending Machine Chapter 17: Communication 279 Chapter 18: Using the Datalog 297 317 Chapter 19: Roboarm Afterword 353 Appendixes 355 MINDSTORMS Sets Appendix A: Supplementary Parts 361 Appendix B: Programming Tools 365 Appendix C: NQC Quick Reference 369 Appendix 0: Online Resources 377 Appendix E: 379 Index vII he MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System from LEGO is a new kind of T toy. True to its heritage, it contains a generous assortment of LEGO pieces that snap, slide, and click into place with amazing simplicity. Nearly all of the pieces can interlock with one another, sometimes in rather unusual ways. What sets MINDSTORMS apart, however, is LEGO's Programmable Brick, called the RCX. Sensors and motors can be attached to the RCX (again with LEGO's hallmark simplicity), and suddenly the RCX brings a LEGO model to life. It not only moves, but also senses and responds to its environment. Robotics itself is nothing new. Industrial robots have been in use for years and are constantly getting more sophisticated.