This is a bit off-topic, but for Hannukah, I purchased a Lego Mindstorms EV3 set for my son Alexander. He likes building various contraptions using Lego blocks, and this would provide added fun with all the possibilities of motorized, programmable robots.
Using Mindstorms 300+ parts, one can build a couple different robots that can be controlled by the included remote or a downloadable iPhone/iPad app. In addition, it contains downloadable software for PC/MAC that allows one to make simple programs that tell each robot what to do (like moving forward, making a sound, etc).
Alex didn't take long to build the first robot, TRACK3R. After a few hours of assembly, the TRACK3R was off, rolling on the floor.
Here is the TRACK3R Robot in all its glory.
Here is a video of Alex controlling the TRACK3R Robot using the Lego remote:
After playing with TRACK3R, Alex decided to build the STRIK3R robot, which looks like a crawling Tarantula. Unfortunately, the instructions for making STRIK3R were not in the box, and we had to download them as a PDF file from Lego's website. Alex used an iPad to browse directions. It took much longer to build, and the eyes still do not work. I contacted Lego to get an eye replacement but am still waiting.
STRIK3R can launch small cannons using a swing arm (it looks like a trebuchet).
Here is a short video of STRIK3R crawling on the floor. The most challenging and frustrating part so far has been getting the eyes to work (which do not) and transferring and verifying that programs written on the Macy work on the robot. A lot of times, nothing happens, so some careful debugging is required.
Using Mindstorms 300+ parts, one can build a couple different robots that can be controlled by the included remote or a downloadable iPhone/iPad app. In addition, it contains downloadable software for PC/MAC that allows one to make simple programs that tell each robot what to do (like moving forward, making a sound, etc).
Alex didn't take long to build the first robot, TRACK3R. After a few hours of assembly, the TRACK3R was off, rolling on the floor.
Here is the TRACK3R Robot in all its glory.
Here is a video of Alex controlling the TRACK3R Robot using the Lego remote:
After playing with TRACK3R, Alex decided to build the STRIK3R robot, which looks like a crawling Tarantula. Unfortunately, the instructions for making STRIK3R were not in the box, and we had to download them as a PDF file from Lego's website. Alex used an iPad to browse directions. It took much longer to build, and the eyes still do not work. I contacted Lego to get an eye replacement but am still waiting.
STRIK3R can launch small cannons using a swing arm (it looks like a trebuchet).
Here is a short video of STRIK3R crawling on the floor. The most challenging and frustrating part so far has been getting the eyes to work (which do not) and transferring and verifying that programs written on the Macy work on the robot. A lot of times, nothing happens, so some careful debugging is required.
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