Book Image

Smart Robotics with LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor

By : Aaron Maurer
Book Image

Smart Robotics with LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor

By: Aaron Maurer

Overview of this book

LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor is the latest addition to the LEGO MINDSTORMS theme. It features unique designs that you can use to build robots, and also enable you to perform activities using the robot inventor application. You'll begin by exploring the history of LEGO MINDSTORMS, and then delve into various elements of the Inventor kit. Moving on, you'll start working on different projects which will prepare you to build a variety of smart robots. The first robotic project involves designing a claw to grab objects, and helps you to explore how a smart robot is used in everyday life and in industry. The second project revolves around building a working guitar that can be played and modified to meet the needs of the user. As you advance, you'll explore the concept of biomimicry as you discover how to build a scorpion robot. In addition to this, you'll also work on a classic robotic challenge by building a sumobot. Throughout the book, you'll come across a variety of projects that will provide you with hands-on experience in building creative robots, such as building a Dragster, Egg Decorator, and Plankton from Spongebob Squarepants. By the end of this LEGO book, you'll have got to grips with the concepts behind building a robot, and also found creative ways to integrate them using the application based on your creative insights and ideas.
Table of Contents (12 chapters)

Summary

In summary, you explored the concept of biomimicry, understanding how incredible animals are by building a scorpion. Aspects of a scorpion have been used in numerous robot builds and designs, from start-up companies to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Understanding how to use sensors to detect motion and movement to activate a strike is a great aspect to your learning. Additionally, showcasing two ways to operate the robot within the software is another nice touch to this kit as you can now think of many new ways to use this robot.

In the next chapter, you will explore a similar type of thinking and design but for a different purpose. You will enter the world of sumobots, making a robot that will battle the best of the best in sumo arenas. Let's go!