LEGO.com MINDSTORMS Meet the MDP's Christopher R. Smith

Christopher R. Smith
From:
League City, Texas, USA

What I do besides building with MINDSTORMS:
I am a Senior Quality Assurance Inspector in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL OV-095) at NASA - Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.

I perform multitudes of inspection tasks involving the Shuttle test facility in support of the space program. From component fabrication/installation to flight hardware/software testing/verification/acceptance for use during all phases of Shuttle flight before we fly and contingency efforts if needed during flights.

We operate and maintain a real shuttle with actual fight hardware (w/ a few simulated parts) and fly the mission phases in “video game” like simulations. Trouble-shooting is a blast at work. I invented an inspection tool (Patent-Pending) that solves a huge problem with connector contacts in Shuttle wire harnesses and flight control units. Eventually, the tool will even make it into space. I really do believe that using LEGO elements growing up produced a drive in me that I hope will help others.

Why I signed up for the MDP:
It is probably obvious... I wanted to see the NXT for myself and be one of the first folks to have a sneak peek. I felt that I might have a lot to contribute during the program and afterwards in the Official MINDSTORMS Forums. Extensive experience with the new toolset will be an asset before it is released to the public.

I also hope to bring FUN and I bring knowledge of the past and hopes for the future. I feel that the younger generations of MINDSTORMers can stand to gain from any knowledge others are willing to share. We make the community. It is what we make of it. Give!

Experience with MINDSTORMS:
I could not believe that there was a robotics creation toolset I didn’t have to visit NASA to experience. “Computer Chronicles” (PBS late-1997) introduced the MINDSTORMS RIS set and I purchased the 1.0 set in early 1998.

I really have been around from the start of the Official MINDSTORMS forum community online. If you take a look at the current MINDSTORMS forums you will see several thousand postings by me, “Littlehorn”. In mid-1998 LEGO asked me to become a MINDSTORMS Forum Moderator (Host). I spent the next 7 or so years contributing most of my free time cultivating the community as a volunteer. I love helping the knowledge-hungry users knocking at MINDSTORMS' front door.

NXT Project: NXT Hoop Rover and NXT Mono Wheel


NXT Hoop Rover

	NXT Mono Wheel

About this NXT Project:
This was my first creation with the NXT as part of the MINDSTORMS Development Program (MDP). Although, it appears to be an NXT Star Wars Hailfire Droid, the plan was something entirely different. The truth is, I like the hoop wheels and wanted to create something "NXT" with them while I was stuck in rover making mode. I feel the hoop wheels provide a very “space rover” look together with the NXT elements. This model does offer a stimulating perspective as one fellow MDP member Matthias Scholz pointed out upon review, “…taking existing Star Wars LEGO sets and amending them with autonomous behavior by integrating the NXT is most likely to offer a good deal of fun in the future."

The main challenge of building with the hoop wheels is creating a precise NXT drivetrain position for proper wheel/gear control. The hoop wheel‘s inside diameter gear and slot configuration made it difficult to render a perfect NXT motor and grapple structure. But, this arrangement is elegant and very efficient. The NXT brick and chassis can roll over 360 degrees without falling away from the hoop wheels while maintaining the proper gear mesh. It operates very smoothly and is very robust. While, the simple structure is strong, my objective was to save weight using the least amount of elements possible.

The NXT HoopRover can easily become a Hailfire Droid. However, my plan was to create a rover with the hoop wheels closer together at the top and a wider stance at the bottom. This angle was inspired by "MurderBall" the documentary film about the evolution of this extreme sport and the sportsmen who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs - overcoming unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. The very rugged wheelchairs have wheels angled outward at the bottom for stability. I did create the proper angles with studless beams for this wheel position but felt that the operation would be impaired somewhat for my rover effort.

I also created the NXT MonoWheel . While it works and can drive, it cannot balance. This was a “just for fun model”. I have been interested in monowheel vehicles since I was a kid.

Thank you for stopping to read about my MINDSTORMScreation(s). Robotics has been a favorite of mine and I hope I have inspired you and other MINDSTORMers to create some wonderful NXT marvels.

My Links

My MINDSTORMS RIS Personal Page

My Brickshelf Gallery