How to Make a Lego Robot
If there’s a toy one cannot forget, it’s Lego--those little multi-colored bricks that have enthralled millions of children and adults for decades. This classic toy doesn’t just entertain but also stimulates creative thinking while inculcating basic constructions skills in little children. If you can recall the fun times you had with Legos, but just cannot remember how you built your first Lego robot, here’s a step-by-step guide to building a Lego Mindstorms robot and bringing out the hidden child in you.
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Instructions
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Visit your nearest Lego or toy store and buy a Lego Mindstorms robot kit. Search for a set that is designed specially for robot construction, as they usually include accessories that will be helpful in your robot making. Look for an earlier basic model, as new generation Lego Mindstorms have more advanced sensors and programming than earlier versions (see Resources below).
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Make sure to study the parts sheet carefully to ensure that all parts have been included in the kit.
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Although Lego will instruct you to make a few default robots, Mindstorms also gives you the opportunity to build unique robot models. The placement of the robot’s sensors is important, as they will determine the robot’s various actions. Lego Mindstorms robots have sensors for light, distance, touch and sound, plus 3 motors for movement. An "intelligent brick" is connected to all motors and sensors and also stores the programming.
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This can be easily done and will offset the need to write a code which more advanced Lego robots demand. This code primarily consists of simple drag-and-drop icons which will instruct your robot to perform various pre-programmed actions.
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You will need to create a program that governs the particular actions you wish your robot to perform. For example, if you would like your robot to lift something up, you may command it to run until activation of the touch sensor. Once this sensor is activated, a claw to grasp the object can also be programmed. Remember, the "intelligent brick’" is not limited to just one program, therefore you may design a few to match the specific robotic actions you need.
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Design specific robotic actions. Use your computer’s blue tooth function or a USB cable. When the brick has been loaded with the programs, you can test each via the gray, left and right buttons. To start or end a program function, press the orange button.
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Activate your robot to detect any flaws in your programming. If there aren’t any, your Lego Mindstorms robot is ready to perform.
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Tips & Warnings
Review the programming software if you detect any flaws in the programs you’ve created.
Do not handle parts roughly when building your robot, as some critical parts are fragile.
