LEGO MindStorms, RCX, robotics, projecting and programming robots. robots, studies, Visual Basic, NQC, LASM
polish versionIntroduction • Projects • NQC language • Links
Introduction to Lego MindStorms
LEGO MindStorms are complete sets allowing to build programmable robots. Actually I write a degree work under the title "Methods and algorithms for mobile robot positioning" using LEGO MindStorms sets. By chance I'll be putting some articles hear like: descriptions, source codes, pictures and film materials from my degree work progress.
Projects
My first connected with LEGO MindStorms was project of a caterpillar robot moving by set trajectory. Building a robot was a simple task - controller placed on caterpillar, two engines, two light and touch detectors. Robot moved along a black line drawn on a white shit of paper. Two light detectors were responsible for the path and touch detectors for stopping robot after coming to an obstacle. I wrote the program in NQC language.
Gallery Source
Second project was more complicated. The construction was taken from Philippe Harbin. Although its not a copy, because I changed few elements. I wrote my own program in NQC language. As before the vehicle moved on caterpillars along the black line, but also he was detecting objects on his route and loaded them into his basket. Process of detecting obstacles was connected with detection of obstacles. Few small changes can change it into vacuum cleaner;-)
Gallery Source
Two mentioned projects were made by me for a presentation during "Science Days 2006" on Zielona Góra University.
Third project is my degree work under the title "Methods and algorithms for mobile robot positioning". My presumption is to write an application, witch will control robot choosing his route using internet camera. NQC doesn't allow using internet camera.
That's why in building my application ill use few programming languages - NQC, Visual Basic (VB) and Lego Assembler (LASM). LASM will be responsible for communication between main application written in VB and RCX,
witch will be programmed with NQC language.
Visual Basic can be downloaded here. To be capable of using LASM and VB its demanded to install LEGO MINDSTORMS SDK 2.0, witch you can download by clicking
here. After installing you will gain access to materials describing LASM language.
Till now I have written application (rcx_panel.exe ver 1.1) in VB witch allows communication with RCX and controlling exits, reading detectors readings, passing values and the common. Before using the application it is demanded to send to controller LEGO FIRMWARE and installing LEGO MINDSTORMS SDK 2.0.