The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book

by Yoshihito Isogawa

Overview

A follow-up to the best-selling LEGO® Technic Idea Book series by master builder and LEGO luminary Yoshihito Isogawa, readers learn to create their own robots from the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Set.

If you’ve had your fun building programmable, intelligent creations with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor set, it’s time to take your bot-building to the next level! With over 125 new models, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book will unleash your imagination and open up limitless possibilities for unique robotic designs.

You’ll learn how to build basic mechanisms with motors and sensors, robots that can walk or drive themselves, and practical tools for lifting, opening doors, drawing, and even launching projectiles. Then, bring them all to life with the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor App, which lets you program your bots to perform tasks and missions.

Each model is paired with an illustrated list of parts and multi-angled color photographs, so you can easily reproduce the projects without the need for step-by-step instructions. Best of all, you’ll also be inspired to combine various mechanisms into your own interactive inventions, toys, cars, games, and more!

To build the book’s models, all you need is the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor set (#51515) and a smart device that can run the MINDSTORMS App.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781718501782
Publisher:	No Starch Press
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	83 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Yoshihito Isogawa of Tokyo, Japan, is a technical writer and LEGO® luminary. In addition to running Isogawa Studio, Inc., he gives LEGO workshops and lectures at schools and science museums, and creates LEGO models for events and exhibitions. He is the author of the popular The LEGO Technic Idea Book series, LEGO Power Functions Idea Book series, LEGO Technic Non-Electric Models series, The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Idea Book, and The LEGO BOOST Idea Book (all No Starch Press).
 

Table of Contents

Introduction xii

Warm-Up xiv

Part 1 Basic Mechanisms

Rotating motors 2

Transmitting rotation with gears 12

Changing the angle of rotation by 90° 24

Oscillating mechanisms 28

Reciprocating mechanisms 34

Changing the angle of an axle 40

Transmitting rotation with rubber bands 44

Using cams 46

Using turntables 50

Lighting up the center button 56

Controlling the LED Matrix 58

Using the remote control 60

Part 2 Moving Mechanisms

Vehicles with one motor 64

Vehicles with two motors 72

Turning with a steering wheel 80

Walking robots 86

Part 3 Practical Mechanisms

Gripping tools 96

Lifting devices 104

Flapping wings 110

Using the projectile launcher 116

Shooting devices 120

Wind devices 126

Part 4 Using Sensors

Using the Distance Sensor 132

Using the Color Sensor 134

Using the Hub's built-in sensor 136

Vehicles with sensors 142

More ways to use sensors 160

Part 5 Other Enjoyable Mechanisms

Various moving mechanisms 170

Spinning tops 196

Drawing devices 206

Automatic doors 226

Making fun games and toys 232

Bonus mechanisms 248

Editorial Reviews

"The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book is a building dictionary for beginners and experts alike. With easy to understand diagrams and programs, this book not only teaches but engages the builder to build something new with its models and contraptions. This a book that can and should be used by anyone who has a Robot Inventor set to see what the set can do!"
—Joe Meno, Brick Journal

"No Starch Press has done it again by combining LEGO eye candy with educational and fun content for the reader. Whether you are a MINDSTORMS pro, a beginner, or simply someone who wants to learn more about MINDSTORMS and LEGO robotics, this is a great, informative, and visual book to have in your LEGO book collection. A must-have if you like the robotic side of LEGO!"
—Dr. McBrick, YouTuber

"This book is not a basic introduction to the LEGO MINDSTORMS 51515 Robot Inventor set, but it uses the set to introduce a wide range of different mechanisms and related concepts, from simple gearing to reciprocating or oscillating motion. We get easy to follow instructions to build the contraptions demonstrating the concepts, and with the code blocks accompanying them, they are ready to be used in any custom MINDSTORMS project."
—Balazs, RacingBrick

"Yoshihito Isogawa has always inspired me. On his YouTube channel, he builds all kinds of small robots and contraptions. He always comes up with these ingenious building techniques and clever contraptions and in this book, he shows you 128 of them! You can learn so much from him and his book, so this is a must have for MINDSTORMS builders and aspiring robotic engineers!"
—Robotic Engineering, YouTuber

"The book is a real compendium of mechanisms and related topics. More than a 'manual' for owners of the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor set, it is a real 'encyclopedia of movement:' ranging from the simplest mechanisms to those of oscillating or alternating motion, which combined together allow you to make even complex movements. Perfect for both beginners and experienced users."
—Francesco Frangioja, Certified LEGO Facilitator

"A well-made tutorial for all the components and a guide for mechanisms. Really good stuff for possible advanced constructions."
—Greta Galli, YouTuber

"For me, as an inexperienced MINDSTORMS user, the book is awesome. It is explained very clearly how the whole thing works and can be programmed."
—AustrianLegoFan, YouTuber

"As an IT professional I found myself using this much like cookbooks for programming... it gives such elegant and simple, reusable components that it enabled me to focus on what I was trying to do rather than solving each aspect individually. The true genius lies in the fact that it actually does require you to examine and understand the approach, which taught me how to make all manner of contraptions."
—Brian Mork, Advanced Reviewer

"The best way to level up your skills and learn the advanced MINDSTORMS techniques."
—JustJon.net

From the Publisher