Eight years after the introduction of its first robotics toolset, LEGO unveils Mindstorms NXT targeted at airmchair inventors, robotics fanatics and LEGO builders ages 10 and up.
Having pioneered home robotics with its introduction of the first Mindstorms series eight years ago, toy maker LEGO is at it again. The company's introduction of its new Mindstorms NXT series comes at a time when the original series had been experiencing a slow decline in its popularity, aiming to improve the ease and speed with which new robots can be built.
The heart of the new system is the NXT brick, a 32-bit processor which can be programmed using a PC or a Mac. After building their robots, users create a program and download this to their creation either by way of USB 2.0 or Bluetooth, the latter of which LEGO said would extend the possibilities for remote controlling robots from devices such as mobile phones or handhelds.
Also new are interactive servo motors which feature built-in rotation sensors, as well as new ultrasonic and sound sensors to allow robots to respond to movement and audible commands. To be available in August 2006 worldwide, an initial Lego Mindstorms NXT kit will sell for $250 USD.
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