Table of Contents
History of Mindstorms
Evolution of LEGO kits
LEGO Technic
The LEGO Technic kit included:
- mechanical elements,
- pneumatic elements,
- electrical motors.
The kit did not include a microcontroller.
Links
Robotic Invention System
RIS versions:
- 1998r.: RIS 1.0,
- 1999r.: RIS 1.5,
- 2001r.: RIS 2.0.
The most important change: RCX 'brick', which contains programmable microcontroller Renesas H8/300. Furthermore introduced:
- possibility of communication between RCXs,
- sensors (e.g. of color and touch),
- additional electronical equipment, e.g. speakers,
- about 700 elements.
Links
Mindstorms NXT
In mid 2006 Mindstorms NXT replaced Robotic Invention Systems.
The kit include:
- more sensors,
- about 500 elements (such as: wheels, bars, adapters, hubs, etc.),
- motors with sensor of position and tachometer,
- touch sensor, sound sensor, color sensor, ultrasonic sensor.
Mindstorms NXT supports a lot of programming languages.
Links
Other LEGO kits
Lego Cybermaster
- communication RF,
- Passive sensors limitations,
- no possibility of software development.
Links
Codepilot
- only basic elements,
- programing through switching to learn-mode and using light sensor to get over coded cammands.
Scout
- poor possibilities of programming,
- RCX communication.
Micro Scout
- limited Scout version,
- communication with: Scout, Spybotics, RCX by VLL.
Links
Spybotics
- toy-version of Cybermaster,
- communication with other Spybotics and with RCX.