Exploring LEGO Mindstorms EV3

The essential guide to building and programming LEGO EV3
interactive robots

Exploring LEGO Mindstorms: Tools and Techniques for Building
and Programming Robots is the complete guide to getting the
most out of your LEGO Mindstorms EV3. Written for hobbyists, young
builders, and master builders alike, the book walks you through
fundamentals of robot design, construction, and programming using
the Mindstorms apparatus and LEGO TECHNIC parts. Tap into your
creativity with brainstorming techniques, or follow the plans and
blueprints provided on the companion website to complete projects
ranging from beginner to advanced.

The book begins with the basics of the software and EV3 features
then lets you get to work quickly by using projects of increasing
complexity to illustrate the topics at hand. Plenty of examples are
provided throughout every step of the process, and the companion
website features a blog where you can gain the insight and advice
of other users. Exploring LEGO Mindstorms contains building
and programming challenges written by a recognized authority in
LEGO robotics curriculum, and is designed to teach you the
fundamentals rather than have you follow a "recipe."

• Get started with robot programming with the starter
  vehicle, Auto-Driver

• Explore the features of the EV3 brick, a programmable
  brick

• Design robot's actions using Action Blocks

• Incorporate environmental sensors using Infrared, Touch, and
  Color sensors

• Expand the use of data in your program by using data wires with
  Sensor Blocks

• Process data from the sensors using Data Operations Blocks

• Using Bluetooth and WiFi with EV3

• Build unique EV3 robots that each presents different functions:
  the Spy Rabbit, a robot that can react to its surroundings; a Sea
  Turtle robot, Mr. Turto; the Big Belly Bot, a robot that eats and
  poops; and a Robotic Puppy Guapo

• Discover ideas and practices that will help you to develop your
  own method of designing and programming EV3 robots

The book also provides extensive programming guidance, from the
very basics of block programming through data wiring. You'll learn
robotics skills to help with your own creations, and can likely
ignite a lasting passion for innovation. Exploring LEGO
Mindstorms is the key to unlocking your EV3 potential.

Autorentext

Eun Jung (EJ) Park has been developing LEGO robotics
curricula at RoboFun since 2010. There she designs robots that are
used in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs
for children and youths. She also designs and builds automatons,
mechanical moving sculptures that respond to human interaction.

Zusammenfassung

The essential guide to building and programming LEGO EV3 interactive robots

Exploring LEGO Mindstorms: Tools and Techniques for Building and Programming Robots is the complete guide to getting the most out of your LEGO Mindstorms EV3. Written for hobbyists, young builders, and master builders alike, the book walks you through fundamentals of robot design, construction, and programming using the Mindstorms apparatus and LEGO TECHNIC parts. Tap into your creativity with brainstorming techniques, or follow the plans and blueprints provided on the companion website to complete projects ranging from beginner to advanced.

The book begins with the basics of the software and EV3 features then lets you get to work quickly by using projects of increasing complexity to illustrate the topics at hand. Plenty of examples are provided throughout every step of the process, and the companion website features a blog where you can gain the insight and advice of other users. Exploring LEGO Mindstorms contains building and programming challenges written by a recognized authority in LEGO robotics curriculum, and is designed to teach you the fundamentals rather than have you follow a "recipe."

• Get started with robot programming with the starter vehicle, Auto-Driver
• Explore the features of the EV3 brick, a programmable brick
• Design robot's actions using Action Blocks
• Incorporate environmental sensors using Infrared, Touch, and Color sensors
• Expand the use of data in your program by using data wires with Sensor Blocks
• Process data from the sensors using Data Operations Blocks
• Using Bluetooth and WiFi with EV3
• Build unique EV3 robots that each presents different functions: the Spy Rabbit, a robot that can react to its surroundings; a Sea Turtle robot, Mr. Turto; the Big Belly Bot, a robot that eats and poops; and a Robotic Puppy Guapo
• Discover ideas and practices that will help you to develop your own method of designing and programming EV3 robots
  The book also provides extensive programming guidance, from the very basics of block programming through data wiring. You'll learn robotics skills to help with your own creations, and can likely ignite a lasting passion for innovation. Exploring LEGO Mindstorms is the key to unlocking your EV3 potential.

Inhalt
Foreword xxiii Introduction xxv

Chapter 1 Introducing LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 1

Understanding the EV3 Set: It Begins When You Open the Box 2

EV3 Electronic Parts 2

EV3 Software 5

TECHNIC Building Parts 7

The Building Instructions and the Test Board 10

Comparing EV3 and NXT 11

Summary 11

Chapter 2 Building the Auto-Driver: A Starter Vehicle 13

Getting Started with the Auto-Driver 13

What You Can Do with the Auto-Driver 13

Assembling the Auto-Driver 15

Understanding the EV3 Brick Interface 29

Using the Brick Buttons 29

Exploring Four Basic Screens 30

Operating the Auto-Driver 36

Summary 37

Chapter 3 Getting Started with Programming 39

What Is Programming? 39

Communicating with Robots 40

Understanding Programming Languages 40

Previewing the EV3 Software System 41

Launching the EV3 Software 41

What Do You See on the Screen? 42

Understanding the Programming Interface and Graphic Languages 47

Getting Used to the Interface 49

Downloading Programs to a Robot 51

Connecting the EV3 Brick to a Computer 52

Reading the EV3 Brick on the Software 54

Summary 57

Chapter 4 Exploring Action Blocks Part 1: Programming Motors 59

Understanding the Basics of Block Programming 59

Rule 1: Use the Start Block 59

Rule 2: Respect the Program Flow 61

Overview of the Programming Block's Structure 62

Getting to Know the Input Values for the Motors 62

The Off, On, and On for Seconds Modes 63

The On for Degrees and On for Rotations Modes 64

Motor Power Input and the Direction of the Motor 67

Controlling Motors with the Large Motor Block and the Medium Motor Block 68

Working with the Large Motor Block 68

Creating Programs with the Large Motor Block 68

Controlling Two Motors with the Move Steering Block 73

Working with the Move Steering Block 73

Creating Programs with the Move Steering Block 76

Using the Move Tank Block to Control the Power Level of a Motor 82

Working with the Move Tank Block 82

Creating Programs with the Move Tank Block 83

Summary 84

Chapter 5 Exploring Action Blocks Part 2: Using Display, Sound and Brick Status Light Blocks 85

The Display Block 85

Displaying Text: The Text-Pixels and Grid Modes 87

Drawing Shapes: The Line, Circle, Rectangle, and Point Modes 94

Displaying Images: The Image Mode 97

Resetting the Display: The Reset Screen Mode 103

The Sound Block 103

Play File Mode 105

Play Tone Mode 107

Play Note Mode 108

Stop Mode 109

The Brick Status Light Block 110

The On Mode 110

The Off and Reset Modes 110

Summary 111

Chapter 6 Exploring Flow Blocks 113

The Start Block 114

Starting the Program 114

Demonstrating the Line of Code 114

The Wait Block 115

The Compare Mode in th…