LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System 2.0

© 2001 LEGO Education North America
$200, Win 98, ME (Not NT or 2000)
Teaches: math, logic, problem solving, programming, creativity

CTR Review

See LEGO Mindstorms EV3 This updated (August 2001) programming kit offers great first experience with programming and robotics, and is a tremendously powerful learning experience. The parts are identical to the first version, but the software has been improved (thus the slightly higher rating) with a better interface and a new "Big Blocks" programming system to make complicated commands simple. There is also a new "Pro Challenges" module with on-screen building instructions. This modern day Erector Set comes in a large box with 716 LEGO building parts, a small portable computer with switches and light sensors, an infrared transmitter, two motors and a CD-ROM. The brain of this program is the yellow "RCX 2.0," a studded minicomputer the size of a bar of soap. It has 512K of static RAM and is powered by six AA batteries. On top of the RCX are six power plugs to be used with motors and sensors. To make a simple car, you plug your two motor wires into ports A and C, attach wheels to the hubs on the motors and attach motors onto the RCX. The vehicle won't move until you install the software on your computer, create a simple program and download it to your car. There are 16 commands, each found on a puzzle piece marked with the ports they control. These can be dragged and dropped on the screen for easy experimentation. Your creation can remember up to five different programs. Like magic, your car will roll forward for 10 seconds and stop. We used this simple program to make a drink delivery vehicle for our office. LEGO MINDSTORMS sets the standard in programming activities for children. Three expansion kits are available-- RoboSports (throw balls, move through obstacle courses), Extreme Creatures (mimic animals), and Exploration Mars (create a Mars rover). There's also a Vision Command System ($100) accessory lets robots take pictures, which can be displayed remotely on a computer screen. An additional Remote Control operates just like a TV remote control allowing direct access to the output ports from as far as 20 feet away. See also Cyber K'Nex.