Rube Goldberg Contest

It would be fun to have a GC team...

Sorry it took me so long to post in here, I apologize. I was thinking about ideas for my robot and while I havent come up with something I want to do, I've been researching parts we can use and how to use them. I'm pretty pumped to see what we all can do with these mindstorms.

I'm ready to see what kind of java and c implementation these units have.

I was looking around and I thought this video was cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_mA72r3ZiQ

Jan 24, 2014 - Class

Today in class we opened the kits, sorted the pieces and created the Tracker.

Homework:
     Read : The Lego Mindstorms EV3 Laboratory (Daniele Benedettelli)  Chapters 1-3

     Chapter 1: Learn about the pieces (Beams, Connectors, Gears, Wheels, Sensors)

     Chapter 2: Build ROVER and the following modules for future experiments

• Touch sensor bumper
• Line-following module
• Front-IR sensor module
• Wall-following module
• Dexter's cleaning tool
• (OPTIONAL: SECRET PROJECT Grabber Module -- Instructions on EV3L.com  (code: 0x0B1E55ED )
• You do not have to create the "Rover with treads version"

     Chapter 3:  Programming with the Brick Programming App
Read about action blocks (move motors, change display, make a sound, blink light) and wait blocks (wait until touch sensor pressed, color changes, motor rotates, a time passed, brick button pressed, infrared sensor changes)

Teaching Resources

Lego Engineering
http://www.legoengineering.com/

Carnegie Mellon
http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/lego/start/index.htm

The Lego Mindstorms EV3 Laboratory -- online resources
http://robotics.benedettelli.com/publications/lego-ev3-laboratory-book/

EV3 source code available
http://makezine.com/2013/08/02/lego-mindstorms-ev3-source-code-available/
(Processor runs on Linux, Source code available on GitHub)

Overview of Lego Mindstorms (Comparison of Retail and Education Kits)
http://www.intorobotics.com/building-robots-lego-mindstorms-ev3-features-programming/

PowerPoint pdf - EV3 Programming (Overview for FLL Coaches)
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/TeamResources/NaturesFury/2013EV3Programming.pdf

• Resources from PowerPoint
• EV3 Tutorials  Videos: Getting Started Programming:
• http://www.stemcentric.com/ev3-tutorial
• (Excellent collection of videos that explain programming on your desktop.  It discusses, action blocks, wait blocks, checking sensors, creating variables, using switches etc)

Sorting and Unboxing Elements from the Education Kit

   Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE9Nv7ZrlGg

   Sorting Guide: http://www.darrenwilson.net/uploads/8/6/4/7/8647749/ev3_core_set_45544_sorting_overview.pdf

This is a video of some of the robots that a guy made. He made like 20. Some are very practical which is another part that interests me because I'd like to see how they could help society. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lbp0ueqHFs

So I am planning to make an animal robot and I have been researching how to build them. I found some videos that have lego techniques I would use on my mindstorm ev3 in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwPTGMM1Zs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9zgrds_RhA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4UmHdaUdXw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE7NXtwk0Q4

Sorry it took so long to post anything here. There was something wrong with my google+ account and my school email mixing up or something like that and it wasn't allowing me to post anything. Got it all figured out now so hopefully that's the end of that. This is also a pretty cool idea for the robots and everything like that.

Awesome Lego Mindstorm Robot - Solving a Rubix Cube

App integration

http://constructingkids.com/2013/01/07/control-lego-robots-with-your-smartphone-new-lego-mindstorm-generation-on-the-way/


Here is a really cool article on the app abilities of the robots.

Additional Parts

• Education Core Set --
• http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/categories/products/university/lego-mindstorms-education-ev3/_/characteristics/ProductLine~LEGO%20MINDSTORMS%20Education%20EV3
• Sorting Trays - http://www.shopirisusa.com/lego-divider-trays-2pc-set-lpd-ot.html?gclid=CJuDkLX6lLwCFZTm7AodohcAMg
• Sorting Trays - New LEGO 3-Drawer Sorting System Storage Unit Iris Station Organizer Trays ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/301065574494?lpid=82)
• Gyro Sensor  $29.99 
• 8887 LEGO® Power Functions Transformer/Charger 10VDC -- Price  $24.99
• -Touch-Sensor-45507  $19.99
• 45504 EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor   -  Price  $29.99   (Out of stock, expected ship date 15 Feb 2014)

I've found a few resources, but the one that seemed coolest was the forum on lego.com that shows other robots and resources that other windstorm creators have made. Its really interesting the different ideas that can be made and how they put them together.

http://www.us.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/community/

Here is also some videos on the different sensors that the EV3 has and how to use them. I'm very interested in this aspect of the robot so these videos will be helpful.

http://mcnairrobotics.com/index.php/component/content/article/47-template-details/general/15-aboutmcnair?showall=&start=1
Go to bottom of the page for the videos.

Great News!

The Mindstorms kits have arrived at central receiving. I fully expect that we will be able to distribute them to each of you at Friday's class and build our first robots.

I'm disappointed to see that no one but Dr. Phelps and me have posted their assignment to the blog and class is only 2 days away.

It moves...

We will definitely build on Friday. It's not clear yet whether or not the Mindstorms kits will all have arrived, but it can be collaborative at this early stage. You all will fly right through this. 

Remember, you've been assigned to post here before Friday. I have found some interesting resources. I'll share them on Friday. I hope you all will have discovered many of them and some others by then. 

We did not get the educational version, and that's a disappointment. Not one we cannot fix...

Tracker (Project 1 complete!)

 I completed the tracker project last Friday.  We need to remember to get batteries -- 6AA and 2 AAA for each project.  I also had to buy several storage containers to hold legos. They were $8 each but I can see the need for more.

Mindstorms product page

This is a great resources.

Really cool!

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The blog for GC CSCI 3950 Robot Programming