New Robotics Kit from LEGO MINDSTORMS
Next week, LEGO officially launches the new version of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT.
For me personally, this is exciting news. I am one of the handful of LEGO MINDSTORMS Community Partners (MCP) from around the world (and the only one from New Zealand!). The MCP's have been involved in the development cycle of the NXT 2.0 right from the start, and have been instrumental in helping LEGO define many of the features LEGO have added to the product.
More on how YOU can also become an MCP and help LEGO with the future of NXT robotics later in the post below....
More about the New LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0
I made this video (with the help of my two year old) of the new kit in action which pretty much sums up what you can do with the new Robotics kit:
Click below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGkEIRii3qk
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT 2.0 set has a bigger and revised element assortment of 619 elements, 16 building and programming challenges for 4 new fun and action-packed robotic models complete with building instructions [plus 10 more you can download shortly]
The new hardware mix consist of an NXT micro-controller, 3 Interactive Servo Motors – with built-in Rotation Sensors, 1 Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the new Colour Sensor with triple functionality; it acts a Colour Sensor – detecting different colours, as a Light Sensor – seeing different light intensities and also works as a Colour Lamp.
Among the new software features there will be applications that makes it possible to make your robot display the images and play the sounds you want it to! There is also a Remote control application that allows for instant and direct control of your robot without any special programming needed.
Where can you get a NXT MINDSTORMS NXT from NZ?
The #8547 NXT 2.0 has just gone on sale at the LEGO Shop @ Home web site for you to pre-order. It cost NZ $499.99 plus shipping (about 8 -18 days depending on how much you are prepared to pay for shipping) – and have the brag factor of owning it before all your friends buy it from the shops in NZ in September.
The other outlets (e.g. amazon.com / tru.com) sell it for US$279 – but they don’t ship to NZ.
Or you can wait till September and get it from the main LEGO TECHNIC retailers such as ToyWorld and save the shipping fees.
How you can become a LEGO® MINDSTORMS®Community partner?
Are You a Hardcore LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT User? Are you interested in robotics?
Do you want to have a seat in LEGO’s closed web forum, the MINDSTORMS Community Partners (MCP), where LEGO® will involve you in their development and tests of new ideas, concepts, prototypes, products and discuss various issues around NXT SW, HW, FW and wetware…?
Then send an application via email with a description of yourself, your involvement with LEGO MINDSTORMS, your special areas of interest, and a paragraph on why you are eligible to be an MCP member!
Send it to mindstormsnxt@lego.com with the header ‘MCP 4 application’.
Applications will be received from now and until 31 July 1200 GMT. All email applications received after this date will be rejected. Applicants must be 18 years old to apply.
Good luck and let me know how you get on with the new kit purchase (or the MCP application).
Tag(s):
More information
Other related posts:
Sumo Robot Contest [Including How To Videos]
Robotized bulldozer
What on earth is this?
Comment by floydbloke, on 29-Jul-2009 13:51 , user id: 18223)
Hi Tim
Nice write-up. one query if I may. I haven't been able to find anywhere what the differences are between the NTX2.0 brick and the original NXT brick (if any). Can you please elaborate.
Comment by Brog22, on 9-Aug-2009 17:58 , user id: )
being a Lego Mindstorms guy you may have heard of FIRST Robotics. I hope to come to NZ next season to help get this great program started in NZ. It is very good. Just google FIRST, we come up top spot always. then chk the FLL for Lego level. good Work, BT
Comment by Nicole Elliott, on 13-Jan-2011 10:47 , user id: )
HELP we purchased the 8457 and I'm struggling to find the instructions on how to build the Alpha Rex - we downloaded the 8257 Alpha Rex but the parts are diferent!
Comment by Tom, on 27-Dec-2011 05:36 , user id: )
Help i need the instructions for alpha Rex for set 8547 how can i get them.
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Comment by Tom, on 27-Jul-2009 18:49 , user id: )
Thanks for writing about the MCP program - I've applied to join it, fingers crossed. I've got my NXT (v1.x) up at http://www.makeaffinity.com/Lab/Starthere.aspx?DepartmentID=142 so people can see and control it from their web browsers. Let me know what you think!
Best
Tom