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Elijah's report from FIRST World Festival in Atlanta
 Hi, my name in Elijah, I am in the 4th grade at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn New York.
We have a FIRST LEGO League team called the Packer Climate Institute (but we change the name every year). I am also a member of the JMCP (Junior MINDSTORMS Community Partners) where I get to test the new version of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT before it comes out. Here is my report on the FIRST LEGO League World Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
On April 16th, I went to the FIRST (FIRST Lego League, First Robotics Competition, and First Tech Challenge) World Festival where 82 teams from dozens of countries all around the world competed. I had a lot of fun and I’m sure everyone else did too.
One of the cool things was the MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 booth. That’s where LEGO displayed the new version of MINDSTORMS NXT. The robots in the new set are an alligator, a humanoid, and a ball shooter. Other neat robots at the booth were a pinball machine (my favorite by the way) designed by the same guy who made NXTprograms.com [Dave Parker, ed.], and a tic-tac-toe player.
Here’s how some of the robots worked. The pinball machine had two touch sensors for the flippers and served balls using the ball shooter method where the ball shooter pulls the cannon back and an axle shoots the zamor sphere out. A zamor sphere is smaller than the old version of the NXT ball, but weighs the same. After the zamor sphere is released the cannon moves forward and the next zamor sphere rolls in the firing position.
The alligator acts just like one and only attacks if he has the nerve (which most alligators do). The humanoid senses color and tells you what color it is sensing. It also walks and feels using touch sensors. This is an improvement over the old Alpha-Rex because I had difficulty making it walk forward then turn around. Alpha-Rex 2.0 did this without a problem. The tic-tac-toe player senses color and knows if you cheat!
Also, there weren’t just new version NXTs, but the LEGO MINDSTORMS team also made wireless RC cars, musical instruments, and a giant wireless RC tank.
The wireless RC car was the Batmobile and it was controlled by a joy-stick.
At the end of the first day of the festival, there was a multi-cultural show of skits, songs or dances all performed by the robotics teams who were competing. My favorite was when the team from Spain pretended to play the robot game with one kid as the robot, two as the robot users and a fourth as referee.
As a LEGO MINDSTORMS ambassador, I was not expecting to compete, but because the team from Columbia could not make it, our team got to fill in to even things out. Actually competing was cool. You could talk with opposing teams while waiting your turn at the table. Before the round began, you would shake hands with your opponent. Plus, it took place in the Georgia dome, which is a football stadium. So the first thing you think when you enter is this place is huge!
I also got to meet Scott Evans. Scott Evans works for FIRST and designs the robot game board every year. So to me meeting him was a big deal. My team showed him our “Wizard Of Oz theory” mini clip. A few months ago at practice, we noticed that a majority of things on the board reminded us of the movie The Wizard of Oz, so we put together a clip about it, and showed it to him. He really liked it. Then after that, I got his autograph on my team shirt.
That’s pretty much what happened in Atlanta this year. I had lots of fun, and I hope to go there again. I would like to go as a competitor with my team and we are going to try really hard to make it next year.
But it would be amazing to go as a LEGO ambassador and work at the booth again.
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The New LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 is coming!
 There has been much talk about the new NXT 2.0 toolkit since it was first revealed at the toy fairs at the start of the year, and now it is finally coming!
The NXT 2.0 set has a bigger and revised element assortment of 619 elements, 16 building and programming challenges for 4 new fun and action-packed robotic models complete with building instructions.
The new hardware mix consist of an NXT micro-controller, 3 Interactive Servo Motors – with built-in Rotation Sensors, 1 Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the new Color Sensor with triple functionality; it acts a Colour Sensor – detecting different colours, as a Light Sensor – seeing different light intensities and also works as a Colour Lamp.
The 4 new models have been optimized to be easy to build with ranging complexity, going from the Quick Start model that you can assemble and program in under 30 minutes, to the ultimate Humanoid – which is also easy to assemble and all models are designed for easy battery change.
Shooterbot, a moving vehicle robot that can guard your room and will shoot balls at intruders!
Robogator is an animal robot that acts and moves like an alligator. It will protect its area and jumps forward and snap at anything that comes too near. Watch out!
Colour Sorter is a robotic sorting machine that can sort different coloured objects and dispense them as you please. It can easily be modified with a catapult mechanism that can precisely shoot the different colours where you like.
Alpha Rex is your ultimate robot. It is a humanoid robot, easy to assemble and with multiple functions; it walks and turns, dances, talks, can see and avoid obstacles, can grab and distinguish between different coloured objects.
Note: 10 extra bonus models with building instructions will be made available on this website after the launch of the NXT 2.0!
Among the new software features there will be applications that makes it possible to make your robot display the images and play the sounds you want it to!
Sound Editor: is a new application that makes it possible to customize and personalize your robot by importing sound files – or record your own via a PC microphone (not included in set) and loading them onto the NXT micro-controller, making the robot speak with your own voice or a funny sound.
Picture Editor: is a new application that makes it possible to import picture files – or for you to draw your own and load them onto your NXT, to be shown in the display when you want!
Remote Control: allows for instant and direct control of your robot without any special programming needed. Just create a model that can move and you have direct control over it.
Pack and Go: the Pack and Go function makes it easy for you to share your programs with other users, as it packs the program with the images and sounds used in the program, so you do not have to think about it!
(Requires that the other users to have NXT 2.0 software).
Bluetooth Contact Block: Now you can get your NXT to connect and dis-connect to multiple NXTs while running a program
The block allows the NXT to choose between many different NXTs, making it possible to make complex machines. Your NXT can be connected to up to 3 other NXTs at any given time.
Over the coming weeks more features will be shown and stories from users will be told here on mindstorms.com!
The new #8547 NXT 2.0 set will be launched from August 1 and onwards.
Pre-selling will start on July 1 on Shop@Home, Amazon.com and TRU.com
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A building challenge where you build it?
 NXTLOG has had biped, quadruped, sumo and video challenges. We’ve even challenged you to build robots to celebrate holidays and summer sports. But now it’s time for YOU to design what the NXT building challenge will be in the NXTLOG People’s Choice Building Challenge!
To enter you must create a building challenge theme, a sample robot, and rules and judging criteria. Winners of this challenge will have their competition posted on NXTLOG!
You have until Tuesday June 30, 2009 to enter.
See this NXTLOG for details: NXTLOG People's Choice Building Challenge
What will you make?
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Come visit Brickworld!
 What is Brickworld?
Brickworld is an event created by Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs). The public portion of the event provides an opportunity to view the wonderful creations of the attendees. You can also see MINDSTORMS robots and competitions throughout the event. The event is driven by the motto:
Share - Learn - Explore - Discover
On Saturday and Sunday of the event, the registered attendees put their creations on display in 25,000 square feet of ballroom for people to see. There are also LEGO MINDSTORMS contests for the public to watch. Creations include train layouts, tall buildings, sculpture, towns, mosaics, futuristic battle scenes, replicas of many things, castles, things that move, things that are stationary, space displays, animals, architecture, artistry, history, and much much more.
If you or your kids are fascinated by LEGO or if you are just looking for a way to broaden your imagination, then Brickworld is for you.
When is Brickworld?
Brickworld is held the third week in June. This year Brickworld will be open to the public on June 20 & 21.
Where is Brickworld?
Brickworld is held at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
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NXT is the new green. Check out the winners of the NXTLOG Climate Connections Challenge!
 NXTLOGers old and new entered the FLL Climate Connections Challenge to honor the 2008-09 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) World Festival and Earth Day. Roboteers were asked to design an NXT robot that could complete any of the missions from the Climate Connections Challenge. Some entered robots and missions from their FLL teams, and some invented their own! Please visit, comment, rate, and get inspired by all the robots entered in this challenge by entering the tag "climateconnections"
Here are the winners:
CHAMPION'S AWARD
Climate Connections Robot- Legonauts
Created by:
rohanoman
This entry has every element of a Champion Robot. A beautifully built robot, excellent pictures, a thorough NXTLOG description, and an assortment of LDD and program files shared. This robot was also created by a rookie FLL team who scored 320 points - a huge feat for a first year team. For a truly exceptional robot and NXTLOG documentation, we award rohanoman and The Legonauts the Champion's Award. Good luck next season!
ROBOT DESIGN AWARD
Team Cafe Bob Lego League Hexapod
Created by:
MisterTux
Team 'CAFE BOB' created this next robot and winner of the Robot Design Award. Two NXTLOGgers (Mister.Tux and Dahari1) and a 3rd team member collaboratively built this robot. What's surprising about its design as an FLL robot is that insetad of being a vehicle, this robot is a walking hexapod! This 6-legged robot was able to complete all the Climate Connections missions except the oil rig. It also has a pnuematic lever, a bucket as a carrier, a scoop, as well as a few additional attachments (we want pictures of them please). Congratulations Team 'CAFE BOB' on winning your second Robot Design Award (they won their first at an FLL tournament)!
ROBOT PERFORMANCE AWARD
NX-YZ
Created by: NatoNX
NX-YZ is a small, simple robot that currently does seven of the eighteen Climate Connections missions, scoring 130 points in under two minutes and thirty seconds. Not all robots need to perform at the maximum point value to be a great performer! What makes this NXTLOG entry remarkable is that NatoNX recreated the entire Climate Connections mission mat and models from scratch (and it's an amazing replica). NatoNX also includes excellent pictures, detailed documentation, and a video that shows NX-YZ completing the missions in two and a half minutes without edits. This project is a gem and represents the true spirit of FLL. Keep up the great work NatoNX and start your own team next season!
CREATIVE USE OF NXTLOG AWARD
The Climate bot
Created by:
legohenrique1234
The Climate Bot is another homemade entry and legohenrique1234 creatively recreates a few official Climate Connections missions and invents some too. Our favorite is the Soda Can Challenge where the robot must recycle the soda can by delivering it to the recycle station for 10 points. Keep up the creative work legohenrique1234, FLL needs more minds like yours!
HONORABLE MENTION(S)
FLL Bot 3
Created by: TR24EM
FLLBot 2r
Created by: TR24EM
MMS
Created by: legoking11196
Nxt WildCats
Created by: LeoBello
The no trash bot!
Created by: pspking55567
MUR-E
Created by: Dr_phantom
Technobotts 3 Climate Connections Robot
Created by: TechnoBotts
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Roll out the red carpet! The MINDSTORMS Academy has voted and the video winners are in...
 Smile, robot, smile! The results of the NXTLOG Video Challenge are in. There are lots of projects to enterain you besides those chosen by the MINDSTORMS Academy. So roll out the red carpet and enjoy watching some amazing robots in action. Please visit, comment, rate, and get inspired by all the robots entered in this challenge by entering the tag "videochallenge"
Here are the winners:
FAN FAVORITE AWARD
Model NXT
Created by:
NXTdude
The most popularly rated entry, NXTdude's Model NXT, is a masterfully created MINDSTORMS car equipped with power steering, a rear-axle differential, automatic braking and steering, sound start-up, auto-warning, and a convertible roof. The vehicle also has a one-motor steering mechanism, which enables the robot to make sharp and smooth turns. The NXTLOG documentation is well detailed and humorous. Most importantly, NXTdude's video is a clever commercial for the 2009 Model NXT (buy yours today!). NXTdude did not need votes to make this exceptional project a Fan Favorite. (NXTdude has 14 projects on NXTLOG)
JUDGES AWARD
The Dealer
Created by:
sebiseb89
Everyone on the judging panel agreed that this was the coolest all around project amd it has a great video that clearly showcases this robot's capabilities. The dealer, does just what its name implies, it rotates around a table and deals cards! In the video, the robot deals cards for 5 players. Each player then selects how many more cards they want by pushing a touch sensor and the robot responds. For an incredible robot design, perfomance, and excellent video, we award sebiseb89 the Judges Award. (This is sebiseb89's 1st robot on NXTLOG).
BEST TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
TYPE-BOT
Created by:
jayko543
Can the Type-Bot do my homework for me? This "type" of robot is one of the coolest we have seen. Seeing the robot on video gracefully move on gear tracks along a computer keyboard makes you wonder what will this smart MINDSTORMS robot type? Why "LEGO" of course. Congratulations Type-bot on the Technial Award. (This is jayko543's 17th robot on NXTLOG.)
ARTFUL DESIGN
Pianist
Created by: Funbat
In this NXT project a humanoid pianist plays a grand LEGO piano before a minifig audience. The arms are powered by two motors and all the music comes from the NXT. The best part is the end of the video where the pianist faces the audience's applause and says, "thank you, thank you." Funbat gives credit to a sister who helped compose the music and run the camera. For a artfully imagined and well-crafted project, we give the Pianist the Artful Design Award! (This is Funbat's 1st project on NXTLOG.)
MOST CREATIVE
The Duel
Created by:
STARMAN71
In this mini western video called "The Duel (Shoot-out at the Old Brick Coral)" staring Sheriff Walter, and two bipeds Dexter Junior, and Big Bad Dexter. Big Bad Dexter has robbed Dexter Junior of his only set of spare batteries. Junior challenges Big Bad to a duel and they shoot it out LEGO style. The three robots STARMAN71 features are all well designed and programmed, and the video and NXTLOG documentation are creativly executed. This project well deserves the Most Creative Award! (STARMAN71 has 8 projects on NXTLOG and this is STARMAN71's third win in this category.)
HONORABLE MENTION(S)
Sam the Ventriliquism Dummy
Created by: roboguy210
Master and two slaves (3NXT)
Created by: Per_and_Emil
Camera Car
Created by: legominifig1322
GROOVY-The dancing robot
Created by: deveshmohan
Night Bot With... Head Tickler(NOW LDD!)
Created by: mindstorms-teen
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LEGO MINDSTORMS Events
JUN 18-21 - Brickworld in Chicago, IL
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LEGO MINDSTORMS Press Releases
For the latest Press Releases and Image Library, Click Here
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