Most NXT contraptions that move with wheels go forwards, backwards, left, or right. This robot can do none of this, but instead it can go up and down. This robot is featured in Chapter 15 of the Discovery Book. Other chimney climbers in this series: Every time I created a new climber, I tried to...

This brick sorter sorts LEGO bricks by 4 colors and 2 sizes (it’s hybrid for having two functions). This robot is featured in Chapter 14 of the Discovery Book. Other brick sorters in this series: Every time I created a new brick sorter, I tried to tackle a new design challenge. This improvement would make...

This autonomous robot finds, grabs and lifts objects, and it is featured in Chapter 13 of the Discovery Book. The robot is heavily popular among MINDSTORMS builders. It is especially used frequently in robotics competitions because of its versatile grabber design.

This creepy little monster walks in any direction on its six legs, and it is featured in Chapter 9 of the Discovery Book. Be sure to check out the OmniStrider as well. This video by one of my readers shows the Strider in action. Building and Programming this Robot Instructions for building and programming this...

SmartBot is a small development platform that essentially consists of just an NXT with several motors and sensors. But because of its variety of connected sensors and motors (and because of the NXT screen orientation), it’s a handy little platform to experiment with new programming techniques. SmartBot is presented in Chapter 10 of the Discovery...

This robotic turret is described in Chapter 8 of the Discovery Book. It is used to illustrate the concept of how sensors can be used on autonomous robots. In one configuration, Shot-Roller rolls around while looking for objects to fire zamor spheres at. In another program, the robot can be remote controlled with Touch Sensors...

The Discovery is a small and sturdy robotic platform that is especially useful to learn the essentials of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT programming with the Discovery Book. The design starts as the ‘Explorer’, a vehicle with no sensors. As the reader progresses in the book, sensors are added while new programming techniques are introduced.

This shy little robot is a 6 legged Mantis that walks around and shows emotions. It’s one of the official LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Bonus models and it appears on the NXT 2.0 package. This page will show you how to build and program your own Manty.

Chapter 9 of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders will teach you how to build and program a robot that can find and grab objects. Using the Ultrasonic Sensor, GrabBot spins around looking for the closest object, moves toward it, rescans for a more precise location, then grabs and lifts the object. The unique physical aspect...

These days, we can’t imagine life without cars; in fact, we use them every day and never give them a second thought. Just the same, learning to drive requires a lot of instruction and practice, which might make you wish for a car that parks itself. Some luxury cars today actually have special sensors that...