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 LEGO
has developed two robotics product lines based on research done at MIT Media Labs. Both kits use a special brick
that contains a microcomputer called an RCX that can process input from three sensors and control three motors.
The sensors include "touch" micro-switches, rotation counters, light detectors, and optional temperature
and other types of sensors. The motors can be turned on in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions
at several different power levels. The motor outputs can also be used to turn on small lights.
One of LEGO's product lines -- called Mindstorms -- is targeted at consumers
and features software developed at MIT that allows the RCX to be programmed by using a drag-and-drop interface
under Microsoft Windows. The other LEGO product line features software adapted from National Instrument's LabVIEW
product. LabVIEW provides a general-purpose drag-and-drop interface for controlling laboratory instruments. Tufts
University created a special version of LabVIEW that is unique in at least two ways:
(1) Many of the icons correspond to the LEGO robotics kit parts.
(2) A "Pilot" mode has been added that allows students to learn how to program the LEGO RCX with constraints
that serve as "training wheels" -- flexibility and generality are sacrificed to ensure that that most
choices made by the students will be successful ones. As basic concepts are mastered, the students go to more general
and flexible Pilot levels. Once the pilot levels are mastered, the students can proceed to the fully general "Inventor"
mode, where they can develop more complex solutions.
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A non-profit organization
called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology)
organizes an annual network of robotics tournaments under the name of FIRST
LEGO League (FLL). FIRST focuses on promoting science and technology to young people. They have formed a network
of robotics tournaments that use relatively inexpensive LEGO robotics kits. Over the last several years, similar
robotics tournaments held in other states have proven to be extremely valuable in inspiring young people's interest
in science and technology and preparing them to enter tomorrow's workforce. In 2000, 1500 teams of seven to ten
children each participated in sixteen tournaments. The teams allow the children to serve in a variety of roles:
- Designers
- Builders
- Programmers
- Documentor
- Spirit/Activities Coordinator
- Team Leader
Most of the tournaments were held on the East Coast, while two were in California but none in the Northwest.
Rather than being a "winner takes all" competition, the tournament provides an exciting opportunity for
teams to learn from each other and share their excitement. All team members go home with a medallion. In addition,
trophies are awarded in many different categories
Oregon's Saturday
Academy has offered robotics courses for children in grades four through eight for the last several years.
Several of these courses have featured LEGO robotics. These courses have successfully taught children principles
of physics and math, using robotics.
Oregon
Museum of Science and Industry has held special exhibits featuring robotics. In 2000, their robotics exhibit
was a major success, far exceeding attendance projections. OMSI has also hosted a "mini-sumo" contest,
where robots are designed to push each other out of a circle, exhibiting both mechanical and programming skill.
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