Hightechkids documents for FLL
NXT training materials at HighTechKids.
Build diagrams for the NXT Robot suitable for FLL Programming 101 NXT-G.
Lego asked the world for help in bringing it's new robot to market. As one of the lucky 100 (actually 114), I promised to prepare training materials for FLL teams. Not a big stretch, since I'd taught classes, and prepared materials for those classes for several years. The first of those documents is now available at InScite FLL Programming 101 with NXT-G (August 2006 and 2007). As time permits, more will follow.
According to Lego, RoboLab 2.9 is transition software for FLL teams that will need one programming language to use with the NXT and the old RCX bricks. Lego expects that eventually, FLL teams will migrate to the new NXT software.
The software that comes with the new NXT is offically called "Lego Mindstorms NXT Software". I called it the NXT Programming Language or NxtPL. Others have called it LMS, LMSN, NIS, NPL, and even Merlot.
The preferred short form of "Lego Mindstorms NXT Software" is "NXT-G". G is the name of the software that built LabVIEW, which in turn built NXT-G.
HighTechKids has a NXT blog that includes snippets of NXT-G programs.
The NXT-G Motor Block has a ramp up option that can keep a tipsy robot upright while starting.
NXT-G vs. RoboLab 2.9 and the questions of early adopters of Lego Mindstorms NXT.
Parameterized NXT-G code leads to MyBlocks that support settings just like the provided programming blocks. The Sound Block is used as an example of how to program a simplified MyTone block that uses very little memory.
Mini Blocks for NXT-G released.
FLL Teams using RoboLAB and an RCX have to remember the firmware. The firmware often interacts with the RCX in mysterious ways. Just remember that the firmware is trying to help.
NXT-G version 1.1 uses much less memory on the NXT. Versions 1.0 and 1.1 are compared. Is it worth $20? Yes.
Refactoring, FLL Teams need to learn how to use it.