How to Control a Mindstorm With a Remote Control

The Lego Mindstorms series of programmable robots offer a number of robot design configurations. Lego Mindstorms robots are controlled by a central micro-computer unit, referred to as the NXT brick, which is the brain of the robot. One of the features of the NXT brick, is its Bluetooth capability which allows it to be controlled remotely by external Bluetooth-enabled devices, like a computer or mobile device. In fact, any Bluetooth-enabled device that has an NXT remote control application installed can control an Mindstorms robot.

Instructions

1. Press the center orange button on the Mindstorm robot's NXT brick, to turn it on.

2. Press, tap or click on the NXT remote control application icon on your computer or mobile device, to launch it. The application will automatically detect the NXT brick via Bluetooth.

3. Press, tap or click the "Menu" button in the application window to the "Remote" then press "OK." This will open the list of NXT bricks that are available to control with the application. Some application will open the list automatically at launch.

4. Press, tap or click the name of the NXT brick that you wish to control remotely, then press "OK" to open the remote control panel. The remote control panel of each application type will vary, but each will open a display of available controls for the robot.

References

• Mindstorms NXT: NXT Bluetooth and Control
• Lego: LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

Resources

• PSPWP: NXT Programmable RC
• Talk Android: Video: Lego Mindstorm Remote Control for Android 2.1 & 1.6
• Break: Tutorial: How to Use a Wiimote to Control a Lego Mindstorms NXT