Robot Menu
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Back in the 70's and the 80's, it was a very exciting time. This is when I started to get into lego in a big way. And one of the things I just loved doing was making my own robots with it. Anything from taking a computer terminal block and shoving it onto a pair of disembodied lego man's legs. All the way up to bolting together some HUGE creations.
The truth is that lego is the ideal material to build your robotic creations with, and to let your imagination run wild. That's because the wonderful thing with lego is that it can be combined in an infinite number of ways to produce different results every time.
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Today's robot builders are exceptionally lucky. The good people at Lego have come a long way since it's invention in 1932. And they realised that their invention was the ideal medium for us robot builders to work our craft in. Looking at some of Lego's modern robot offerings today, it's hard to believe it all started out as plain old square blocks.
Lego Mindstorms are the artists materials of choice when it comes to making robots. This is a series of kits from Lego which combine a lot of elements of advanced robot building. You'll get to work with software, robot engineering, construction, as well as motors and moving parts.
There's a slightly pricey kit called LEGO Mindstorms: Robotics Invention System 2.0 which should be looked into. The price tag is justified when you look in the box. Lego Mindstorms will interest both younger and adult builders, and has proved very successful in schools and colleges.
If you're looking for something a little less taxing on the old gray matter, then Lego offer some simpler robot kits. The Spybotics Shadowstrike S70 will have a great deal of appeal to children (and adults too!). It's a 233 piece kit which lets you build your own spy robot. We had a chance to build one of these and they really are a lot of fun.
A great companion to the Lego Mindstorms kits is a book that's doing the rounds, by Mario Ferrari and friends. Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms.
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Lego Robotics have come a long way! |
It's 656 pages of instructions, plans, advice and help for robot builders working with Mindstorms. You do get a lot of info with the kit from Lego, but this guide will open a lot more doors for you. At around $20 bucks, it's probably a good idea to invest in it at some point.
Now, the big question is: what kind of robots are YOU going to build with your lego?
Beginner Robot Kits
This is the place to start if you're new to robot building. You can get some good, low cost kits here which are a lot of fun to build.
Intermediate Robot Kits
Some really good kits here for anyone who has mastered the basics of robot building and wants to explore further. I recommend the Moon Walker 2 kit.
Advanced Robot Kits
So, you're looking for a bit of a challenge? Well you'll find it here. There's a range of kits here including some really good walking robots.
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