Lego robot for beginers

I first got into robotics when i was given a Lego mind stormers kit for Christmas

I quickly built all the robots in the book and got hooked on robotics
For me the best part was being able to take a robot designed to do one thing and program it to do something else
Being hooked i soon moved on to other robotics and the Lego got shelved 

while packing for uni the other day i found my Lego and remembered the joy programming it had given me

i built the "bugbot" (so named because of the look of the bumper and its compact(ish) size) in the hopes of getting others hooked on robotics 

the bugbot is designed to be easy to build, robust and easily customized, a perfect toy robot for beginners 

Step 1 Parts list

misc bricks (image 1)
1 - rcx brick
2 - pipes
4 - short connection cables 
1 - light sensor
1 - button
2 - large wheels
2 - motors
4 - wheel hubs
2 - pair shaped pieces
1 - rubber band

thin bricks (image 2) each brick is named by number of "studs" at the top
6 - 1*16
6 - 1*12
2 - 1*10
4 - 1*8
6 - 1*6
12 - 1*4
5 - 1*2

axles (image 3) each axle is named after its length compared to a studded brick
1 - 6 length
4 - 5 lengths 
4 - 3 lenghts
3 - 2 lengths 

flat bricks (image 4) 
3 - 2*6 (filler bricks can be changed see note)
1 - 2*4
2 - 1*4
1 - 1*2
4 - corner bricks

axle connectors (image 5)
4 - "1" angles
1 - axle right angle
2 - peg to axle adaptors
8 - peg to axle right angles
11 - pegs
4 - holey 1*1 blocks
1 - flat axle stabiliser
4 - small axle spacer
5 - large axle spacer 

thick bricks (image 6)
2 - 2*4

bumper bricks (image 6)
2 - yellow angle bricks

Comments

[mazmi]

do we need just a light sensor? Or microcontrollers and stuff because lots of robots use that and its kinda expensive so i dont buy it

[knexfreak32]

whats the button for , it seems to me like when the robot hits something the bumper depresses the button switch witch then tells the r.c.x to ....stop,revers,turn,?

[drac5290]

all of the above and none of the above.... when the button is depressed it sends a signal to the rcx, the rcx can be programmed to do anything u want it to when it gets this signal. the must usual thing to do is have the rcx read this signal, stop, put motors in reverse then turn left or right given personal preference to avoid what ever is in its way.... how ever you can program it do do other things... that is the beauty of this robot is a (reasonably) solid little robot that can be programmed in many different ways

[knexfreak32]

thanks man.

[r-philp]

How are you programming the old RCX brick? I've got one, but the software doesn't support any OS more current than windows 98. I'd love to introduce my son to RCX programming, but I haven't found a software platform that will program them anymore.

[drac5290]

can you get the program installed on your computer and then it doesn't run or will it just not install?
to fix the first case for windows xp and up, find the .exe file and right click go to properties, then find the compatibility tab, select run this program in compatibility mode and select something earlier then 98 from the drop down, (side note if your using vista or above it might be a good idea to run the .exe as an admin as well)

to fixing the second case is harder, and not something i have run into much before, how ever try "exploring" the CD it installs from finding the .exe and using the above steps.
i hope this helps, the RCX is a brilliant way to get into programming, enjoy

[jimopertrat]

try this place: http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/