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Joe Nagata's Lego Mindstorms Idea Book
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 629.892
EAN: 9781886411401
Edition: 1
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 1886411409
Label: No Starch Press
Manufacturer: No Starch Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 200
Publication Date: 2001-04
Publisher: No Starch Press
Studio: No Starch Press
Related Items: Featured Listmania!
Editorial Review:
Lots of engineers--and more than a few others--cherish their memories of childhood Lego kits. Indeed, one-time finger-on-the-pulse author Douglas Coupland used Lego blocks as a metaphor for the community of under-30 software workers in his book, Microserfs. With the release of LEGO MindStorms, the nubbly toys come of age with motors, sensors, and--most importantly--the ability to follow procedural rules described in software programs. Joe Nagata's LEGO MindStorms Idea Book is a fantastic companion to the mechanized pieces: well worth the cover price for anyone who's played around with MindStorms and is looking for project ideas.
Nagata covers both sides of the MindStorms equation--mechanical construction and logical control--very well. Every step in the physical assembly procedure for each robot is clearly illustrated with orthographic drawings similar to those in Lego kit documentation. Color would make these drawings even better (they're printed in contrasting gray tones, with color pictures of each finished project in a center section) but would probably add a lot to the price. The coverage of software is good too, consisting variously (depending on the complexity of the program) of a screen shot of the MindStorms visual programming environment or a listing of Not Quite C (NQC) code. This book achieves what should be the main goal of any book about Lego blocks: it gets the reader thinking about ways to modify and expand on the ideas in it. --David Wall
Topics covered: How to construct and program a variety of creatures, vehicles, and machines with LEGO MindStorms pieces. Projects include (this list is comprehensive) a car, a centipede, a vehicle that skates, a dinosaur, a train that runs on tracks, a walker with articulated legs, a segmented vehicle that will climb over obstacles, an analog clock, a six-legged bug that can be made to turn right and left, and a very (very) cool car, in which the motor is used not for direct propulsion, but to compress air that propels the vehicle forward.
The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System from LEGO combines LEGO bricks with a programmable component, making it easy to create real working robots at home. This fun and easy guide to using LEGO MINDSTORMS shows how to build ten fascinating robots and discusses the basic robotics principles needed to create variations. Step-by-step, illustrated directions make the projects easy for users at all levels. Includes a four-color insert and creative ways to enjoy the robots that readers create. (Some projects require pieces not included with the MINDSTORMS kit.)
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Disappointing
While there is no one good definition of "robot", I would state as a minimum requirement that it interacts with its environment. Of the ten LEGO constructs in this book, only two - the Climber and Beetle - would qualify as robots. Of the eight remaining ones, six have no sensor inputs at all, and four have only one motor. These vehicles basically move forward or back, with no provision for turning, without major modifications.
That was the main disappointment: the book being more ... Read More
Rating: - beginners will enjoy it
this is a very basic book, if you are just starting with MindStorms or if you are 12 years old, then you'll like it. Hackers, dont think about getting it.
Rating:  - A completely "user friendly" tutorial and "how to" guide
Joe Nagata's Lego Mindstorms Idea Book is a completely "user friendly" tutorial and "how to" guide book to making working robots. Profusely illustrated with more than 250 original CAD drawings and offering summaries of engineering principles and programming code, readers are easily able to understand how each robot works. Each robot building project includes a parts list as well as step-by-step instructions for their creation. Joe Nagata's Lego Mindstorms Idea Book is strongly ... Read More
Rating: - Interesting ideas but lousy execution
Perhaps I'm spoiled by Dave Baum's great books but I found this book very frustrating. Some of the bots are interesting but I was unable to build most of them because they require extra parts that don't come in the Lego Mindstorms RIS. That'd be OK if the book told you what extra part syou need but I'd get 70% done and find myself short 6 #3 elbows (or whatever). True, he lists the needed parts before each bot, but he doesn't tell you which ones aren't part of the RIS. Baum does. Also, the pictures ... Read More
Rating:  - Not Quite 5 stars
This book is a very good resource for learning the mechanical aspects of Mindstorms robots. The book provides step-by-step detail for several robot creations, with a range of complexities.
PROS: Detailed building plans and programs. Building tips to help you understand the principals behind the design. Joe Nagata: just go to his web site to see his LEGO creations and you'll know you're in good hands. Some really inventive creations, like the "water skater," a wheeled 'bot that propels ... Read More
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