Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Getting Started
Assemble your Lego Mindstorms robot. If you don't have a Bluetooth chip or Dongle, it may help to build a mount for the NXT Brick and attach the sensors, but leave the brick unattached for a few minutes while you plug the Brick into the computer.
Install and run the Mindstorms Workspace software.
Type in a name for your program. You can call it whatever you wish, but a lot of programmers will give the program a name based on what they want it to do. For example, "Move_Forward."
Close the "Robo Center" sidebar by clicking the X button, the lower one in the upper-right corner.
Click the center button on the lower-left corner of the screen. It has three colorful, round shapes on it, and brings up the Block Palette.
Programming
Create a loop by clicking the Flow block, which is orange with a slightly pointed look to it, and choosing the Loop option. Drop the loop next to the orange brick, in the spot marked Start. This creates a loop on the screen, which you can edit by clicking the block. Set it to "unlimited" or choose a number.
Click the Action icon, a green block with an arrow coming out, and select the Motor icon. Click the motor block, and set it up. Choose the port the Motor is attached to, set the speed and duration of the motor.
Connect the Brick to the USB cable, or locate it through your Bluetooth chip.
Click the "NXT Window" button. On the square-shaped panel in the lower-right, this is the upper-left button. This will bring up the connection window. If nothing appears, click the Scan button. When you have selected the brick, close the window.
Click the Download button. This is below the "NXT Window" button. A window will appear to let you know the program is downloading, and will disappear to let you know it's done.