The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set includes a variety of powerful electronic parts (motors, sensors, and the programmable NXT microcomputer) and lots of building elements. With these parts you can create thousands of unique, intelligent robots. The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide helps you to harness the capabilities of the NXT set and effectively plan, build, and program your own NXT robots.

The first part of the book contains a brief introduction to the NXT set. You'll then examine the pieces in the NXT set and the roles they play in construction. Next, you'll learn practical building techniques, like how to build sturdy structures and work with gears. Then it's time to learn how to program with the official NXT-G programming language (and learn a bit about several unofficial programming languages). You'll also learn what author David J. Perdue calls the MINDSTORMS method: a strategy for creating your own robots. Finally, you'll follow step-by-step instructions for building, programming, and testing six sample robots (all of which can be built using only the parts found in one NXT set). These six robots include:

• Zippy-Bot, a two-wheeled vehicle with a ball caster

• Bumper-Bot, a version of Zippy-Bot that explores your room and avoids objects

• Claw-Bot, a version of Zippy-Bot that searches for objects and pushes them away with its claw

• Tag-Bot, a four-wheeled steering vehicle that dashes around while you try to "tag" it with a flashlight

• Guard-Bot, a six-legged walking robot that launches a ball at intruders

• Golf-Bot, a stationary robot that finds a target and then hits a ball into the target

You'll also find an NXT-G Quick Reference, which provides information on the 30 types of standard programming blocks, and the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Piece Library, which features detailed information and images of the more than 80 types of LEGO pieces in the NXT set.

So go ahead. Grab your NXT set, fire up your creative mind, and see what you can invent with The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 20 Ratings

Great book and response from author. - 2009-06-25
Reviewer Rating:
I highly recommend this book since the documentation that comes with the set is lacking. The book fills in the voids.
Also, I had a question about availability of a program. The author responded with an answer within one day.

learn to program in one day - 2009-02-25
Reviewer Rating:
The book was very helpfull and got into details. We ramped up on all the major capabilities in one day. very good SW part and great instruction for building stuff.

step by step - 2008-12-15
Reviewer Rating:
I'm novice with LEGO Mindstorm
with this book i have a very good "step by step" procedure to build and understand this amazing toy.
Pros: it uses simple lenguage and cover all sensors and actuators.
Cons: the introduction for programming without graphical interface is confuse.

Helpful book - 2010-02-06
Reviewer Rating:
Very good book, helps getting started with Mindstorms. Easy to use for my 11 year old.

Great overview book of NXT - 2009-10-22
Reviewer Rating:
Even though I have been working with the NXT as a teacher since it came out, I learned things about how to better build or program the NXT. Since I teach mostly introductory robotics using the NXT, I explored some additional concepts using this book.

If you are new to the NXT, this is for sure a great first book to read. It begins with explainations of the LEGO pieces used in the NXT kit and then explores all of the basic programming blocks.

For someone who has used the NXT, but just jumped into it without any previous Mindstorms experience or training, this book will help you fill in the gaps you probably have with the NXT. Some more advanced concepts are also covered for someone wanting to reach a little further in their NXT knowledge.

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