Buy and Download - LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2.0 (1 cd)

If you like robotics and programing then this kit is for you!

The LEGO MindStorms Robotics Invention System is powerful enough
for adults and easy enough for kids to make impressive use of it.
You can create programmable robots that follow trails, navigate
obstacles, or react to changes in light detected by its sensors
and then program them from your Windows 98- or Windows Me-
compatible computer.

The robots are all based around a bright yellow basic unit, which
serves as the functional heart of whatever is being built. It is
called 'brick' or RCX. It receives commands from the computer via
an infrared tower unit. The computer interface is user-friendly
and very intuitive. What's most impressive about the system,
however, is the large variety of robots that can be built. There
are detailed instructions for each one, and since these are LEGOs,
builders are free to come up with an endless variety.

No programming experience is necessary; LEGO's intuitive software
helps you along the way.

What makes MindStorms so great is that its simple to learn
programming can control robots that perform such complex
functions. Robot construction is like putting together regular
LEGOs, everything snaps together. The instruction book lays out
step-by-step plans for seven robots.

The MindStorms system has been used to create alarm devices that
sense when someone passes through a door, a candy dispenser that
dishes up sweets according to simple bar codes, coin-sorters that
distinguish coins by detecting their diameter and a wandering robot
that takes pictures with an onboard camera. The devices are
intelligent enough to follow paths (via markings on the floor),
and move around obstacles.

You first build your robot using the RCX and over 700 LEGO elements,
attaching sensors, gears, motors and other LEGO bricks. The Robotics
Invention System 2.0 includes detailed instructions for building
modular "plug-and-play" robots: The Roverbot--a steady going robot
that moves around, avoids obstacles, and can follow a line; the
Acrobot--a fast moving robot that flips and dances; and the
Inventorbot--a smart, attentive robot that can greet you and help
you in many other ways. All LEGO MINDSTORMS products work with LEGO
SYSTEM and LEGO TECHNIC sets.

The RCX Programmable Brick The heart of the MindStorms kit is the
RCX programmable brick. About the size of two decks of playing cards,
the RCX uses sensors to take input from its environment, process the
data, and signal up to three motors to turn on and off in forward or
reverse at any one of 8 speeds. This "smart brick" can process over
1000 commands per second. The RCX uses an 8-bit Hitachi H8/3297
microcontroller running at 16MHz. It has 16K of ROM, 512 bytes of
SRAM (for firmware) and 32K of external SRAM for your programs.
It features a fully multi-tasking operating system (up to 10
simultaneous tasks), three eight-bit timers, three 500 mA outputs,
and three inputs. The RCX also houses the battery power.

Programming the RCX Everything about the Robotic Invention System
has been optimized for ease of use. The most amazing example of
this is the RCX code. It is an easy-to-use, yet powerful, icon-based
programming language which is loosely based on Logo. This visual
programming environment allows you to drag, drop and stack commands
and bits of code. This means there is no program code to write! You
can choose from a long list of commands such as left and right turns,
reverse, sound effects, pauses, sensor settings, motor speed, or
custom-designed functions. With two clicks of the mouse, you can
upload your program to the RCX, then hit the "run" button and your
goes to work. Each RCX unit can store five programs so one robot
can do multiple things. Programming can be as elaborate or as
simple as you choose

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